• METHODIST
EMMANUEL
THE LIBRARY
of
VICTORIA UNIVERSITY
Toronto
16
3/31
DOCTRINES
AND
DISCIPLINE
OF THE
FREE METHODIST
CHURCH
''Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all
the flock.— ACTS xx : 28
CHICAGO, ILL.
FREE METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE
1917
\/
&1
A:
19/5
COPTEIGHT 1915
BY
THE FREE METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE
CONTENTS
PAR.
THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH — ORIGIN AND
CHARACTER 1-11
PART I
THE CONSTITUTION
DIVISION
PREAMBLE 15
I. ARTICLES OF RELIGION 16-38
II. GENERAL RULES 39-40
III. ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION AND GOVERN
MENT 47-02
1. Pastoral Charges, Quarterly and
Annual Conferences 47^9
2. The General Conference 50-62
PART II
THE CHURCH
CHAPTER
I. SPECIAL ADVICES 63-73
1. Temperance 63-65
2. Marriage and Divorce 66-70
3. Dress 71
4. Secret Societies 72, 73
II. MEMBERSHIP 74-79
1. Reception on Probation 74
2. Admission into Full Membership.. 75-78
3. _ Transfer of Membership by Certifi
cate 79
III. WORSHIP 80-85
1. Order of Public Worship 80
2. Singing 81
3. Love- Feasts 82
4. Classes and Class Meetings 83-85
iii
Iv CONTENTS
PART III
OFFICIAL BODIES
CHAPTER PAR.
I. THE GENERAL CONFERENCE 86-99
II. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 100-104
III. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES 105-122
IV. SOUTH AFRICA MISSION CONFERENCE 123-125
1. Membership 123
2. Reserved Subjects 124, 125
V. THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE 126,127
VI. THE OFFICIAL BOARD 128,120
VII. THE CIRCUIT MEETING 130, 131
VIII. THE SOCIETY MEETING 132,133
PART IV
THE MINISTRY
I. QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK 134-149
1. The Call to Preach 134
2. Rules for Preacher's Conduct 135,136
3. Spiritual Qualification 137, 138
4. Matter and Manner of Preaching.. 139,140
5. Where to Preach 141
6. Pastoral Visitation 142-140
7. Employment of Time 147
8. Union Among Ourselves 148
9. Union with Others 14!)
II. MINISTERS AND ANNUAL CONFERENCES.... 150-154
1. Reception on Trial 150
2. Reception into Full Membership. . 151
3. Reception from Other Denomina
tions '. 152
4. Termination of Conference Mem
bership 153, 154
III. DEACONS AND ELDERS 155-157
IV. BISHOPS 158, 150
V. DISTRICT E LDERS 160
VI. PASTORS, OR PREACHERS IN CHARGE 161,162
VII. SUPERNUMERARY AND SUPERANNUATED
PREACHERS 163, 164
CONTENTS V
PART V
LOCAL PREACHERS AND LAV HELPERS
CHAPTER PAR.
I. LOCAL PREACHERS 165-171
II. EVANGELISTS 172
III. EXHORTERS 173
IV. DEACONESSES 171
V. BANDS AND BAND WORKERS 175
VI. CLASS LEADERS 176
VII. STEWARDS 177, 178
PART VI
JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION
I. CHURCH TRIALS 179-208
1. Object of Church Discipline 179-181
2. General Directions 182, 183
3. Trial of Preachers in Full Mem
bership 184-193
4. Form of Procedure 194, 195
Form for a Bill of Charges 194
Order of Conducting Church
Trials 195
5. Restoration of Credentials 196
6. Proceeding's Against a Preacher on
Trial 197
7. The Trial of a Loral Preacher 198-201
8. The Trial of an Accused Member 202-208
Ground of Complaint 202
Notification of Time and Place of
Trial 203
Election of Committee to Try a
Case 204, 20r>
Presiding Officer 200
Right of Appeal ; . . 207
Restoration of Membership 208
II. INSOLVENCIES AND THE SETTLEMENT OF
DISPUTES . . . , 209-213
Vl CONTENTS
PART VII
TEMPORAL ECONOMt
CHAPTER PAR.
I. SUPPORT OF EFFECTIVE MINISTERS 214-217
1. Support of Bishops 214
2. Support of District Elders 215
3. Support of Preachers in Charge.. 216
4. Support of Evangelists ". . . . 217
II. SUPPORT OF SUPERANNUATED PREACHERS
AND OTHER CLAIMANTS 218-231
III. CHURCH PROPERTY 232-244
1. Trustees— Appointment 'and Duties 232-236
2. Incorporation and Deeds 237-243
3. Erection of Churches 244
PART VIII
EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS
I. EDUCATION 245-248
1. Board of Education 245, 246
2. Educational Institutions 247
3. Duties of Pastors 248
II. SUNDAY-SCHOOLS 249-254
1. General Sunday-school Board 249
2. Conference Sunday-school Secre
taries 250
3. Duties of Pastors 251
4. Local Sunday-school Board 252
5. Sunday-school Superintendent .... 253
6. Offering for Sunday-school Work.. L>54
III. MISSIONARY WORK 255-26C
General Missionary Board 255-261
1. Name and Objects 255
2. Membership— Officers — Duties 256-259
3. General Conference Missionary Dis
tricts 260
4. Members of the General Mission-
airy Board 261
5. Directors of the General Mission
ary Board *r. 262
6. Secretary 263
CONTENTS vli
CHAPTER PAR.
7. -Treasurer 261
8. Duties of Preachers in Charge 265
9. Annual Conference Missionary
Funds 266
IV. CHURCH EXTENSION 267,268
1. The General Church Extension So
ciety 267
2. Conference Church Extension and
Aid Society 268
V. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS 269
Board of Charities and Benevolences 26lt
VI. THE PUBLISHING HOUSE 270
PART IX
CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES
I. CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES 271-314
Conference Boundaries 271-313
Disputes About, How Settled 314
PART X
THE RITUAL
I. BAPTISM 315-317
1. Of Infants 316
2. Of Those of Riper Years 317
n. THE LORD'S SUPPER 318, 319
1. General Directions 318
2. Order for the Administration of
the Lord's Supper 319
III. THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY 320
IV. THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD 321
V. ORDINATION SERVICES 322,323
1. Ordination of Elders 322
2. Ordination of Deacons 323
VI. FORM FOR DEDICATION OF CHURCHES 324
PART XI
COURSES OF STUDY
I. COURSE OF STUDY FOR TRAVELING PREACH
ERS . 325-329
viii CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAR.
II. COURSE OF STUDY FOR LOCAL PREACHERS.. 330-333
1. For Local Preachers who are to be
examined by the quarterly con
ference 330, 331
2. For Local Preachers who Wish
to be Ordained Deacons 332
3. For Local Deacons Who Wish to
be Ordained Elders 333
III. COURSE OF STUDY FOR DEACONESSES 334,335
IV. COURSE OF READING FOR CLASS LEADERS.. 336
V. COURSE OF STUDY FOR MISSIONARIES IN
AFRICA 337-340
VI. COURSE OF STUDY FOR MISSIONARIES IN
INDIA 341-344
VII. CENTRAL BOARD OF CONFERENCE EXAMINERS 345
PART XII
APPENDIX
I. INCORPORATION OF THE FREE METHODIST
CHURCH 346
II. RESIDENCES, ADDRESSES, ETC 347-352
III. ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS 353-350
IV. CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW BY THE GENERAL
CONFERENCE . '. 300-412
V. CONSTITUTION OF THE GENERAL WOMAN'S
FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY 413
VI. FORMS . 414
FREE METHODIST DISCIPLINE
The Free Methodist Church
ORIGIN AND CHARACTER
| I. Dearly Beloved: We think it expedient to
give you a brief account of the origin and character
of Free Methodism.
Wesley says: "In the year 1729 two young men
in England, reading the Bible, saw they could not
be saved without holiness; they followed after it and
incited others to do so. In 1737, they saw, likewise,
that men are justified before they are sanctified; but
still holiness was their object. God thrust them out
to raise up a holy people."
U 2. Methodism spread through England and Amer
ica, and in other countries. From time to time dif
ferent bodies arose bearing the Methodist name. As
they became popular there was more or less departure
from the original principles and practise of Methodism.
K 3. In the Genesee conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church, about the year 1858, several
preachers and many members were excluded from
the church on various charges and allegations, but
really for their adherence to the principles of Meth
odism; especially to the doctrine and experience of
entire sanctification.
f 4. Appeals were made to the general conference,
which were denied. Those excluded could not join
any other Methodist body, for there was none that
agreed with them on the issues on which they were
4 ORIGIN AND CHARACTER
thrust out. Therefore they felt compelled to form a
new organization.
If 5. The Free Methodist church was organized by
a convention of lay members and ministers, .which
met at Pekin, Niagara county, New York, on the 23d
day of August, 1860. The first general conference
met on the second Wednesday of October, 1862, at
St. Charles, Illinois.
If 6. The Free Methodists are a body of Christians
who profess to be in earnest to get to heaven, by con
forming to all the will of God, as made known in his
word. They do not believe that either God or the
Bible has changed to accommodate the fashionable
tendencies of the age. They solemnly protest against
the union of the Church and the world. The condi
tions of salvation, as they teach, are the same now
that they were eighteen hundred years ago. He who
would be a Christian in reality, as well as in name,
must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow
Jesus. He must come out from the world and be
separate, and touch not the unclean thing.
1f 7. In doctrine they are Methodists. They believe
in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, in a general atone
ment, in the necessity of the new birth, in the witness
of the Spirit, and in future rewards and punishments.
They insist that it is the duty and privilege of every
believer to be sanctified wholly, and to be preserved
blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Every one who is received into full connection, either
professes to enjoy that perfect love which casts out
fear, or promises diligently to seek until he obtains it.
f 8. They look upon practical godliness as the never
failing result of a genuine religious experience. "By
their fruits ye shall know them." Hence they insist
that those who profess to be the disciples of Christ
should come out from unbelievers and be separate,
abstaining from connection with all secret societies,
ORIGIN AND CtfAEACTER 5
renouncing all vain pomp and glory, adorning them
selves with modest apparel, and not with gold, or
pearls, or costly array. We have no right to abolish
any of the requirements made by Christ and the
apostles; or to make obedience to them a matter of
small consequence. The golden rule, they hold, ap
plies equally to all mankind.
H 9. The government is not aristocratic, but the
members have an equal voice with the ministers in
all the councils of the church, except that, in addition
to the regularly elected ministerial representatives in
the general conference, the bishops are ex officio mem
bers of that body. Both the annual and the general
conferences are composed of as many lay as min
isterial delegates, who have an equal voice and vote
in all the proceedings. The stationing committee, by
which the appointments are made, is composed of the
district "elders and an equal number of lay members
chosen for that purpose. The official boards are se
lected by the members of circuits, and not appointed
by the preachers. They have district elders, who may
be appointed to circuits the same as the rest of the
preachers. They have bishops elected once in four
years, whose duty it is to preside at the annual con
ferences, and travel through the connection at large.
The rights of the members are carefully guarded.
f 10. They endeavor to promote spirituality and
simplicity in worship. Congregational singing is uni
versal, and performances upon musical instruments
and singing by choirs in public worship are prohibited.
They believe in the Holy Ghost. If men are really
converted and sanctified, it is through the Spirit of
God. When he works there is a stir. As President
Edwards says, "Eternal things are so great, and of
such vast concern that there is great absurdity in men
being but moderately moved and affected by them."
"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
6 ORIGIN AND CHARACTER
The Free Methodists, while they do not believe iu any
mere formal noise, yet, when the Spirit comes, like
"a rushing mighty wind," as on the day of Pentecost,
do not dare to oppose the manifestations of his
presence. As Edwards says, "Whenever there is any
considerable degree of the Spirit's influence upon a
mixed multitude, it will produce, in some way, a great
visible commotion." To resist his operations is to
hinder the work of God.
H I I . They do not believe in resorting to worldly
policy to sustain the gospel. Christ has said that
whosoever giveth a cup of cold water in his name
shall in no wise lose his reward. But it is the motive,
and not the amount done, that secures the divine ap
probation. There is no more virtue in giving to* the
cause of God for carnal pleasure than there is in any
other purely selfish action. Hence they give no coun
tenance to modern expedients for promoting Chris
tianity, such as selling or renting pews, lotteries, fairs,
sales, or other like expedients for raising money. To
say that the Church cannot be sustained without these
contrivances to beguile the world into its support is
to confess that professing Christians are "lovers of
pleasure more than lovers of God." It is to pronounce
Christianity a failure. The gospel possesses an in
herent power that will not only sustain itself, but
make its way through all opposition, wherever its
advocates live up to its requirements and rely upon
its promises.
If 12. They believe the Church of Christ is a soul-
saving institution of divine origin for holy purposes,
therefore they prohibit festivals and donation parties,
such as include anything in the line of entertain
ments contrary to the spirit and letter of our Dis
cipline, and all other forms of worldly amusements in
their church buildings or by their church organizations.
1 13. All their churches are required to be as free
ORIGIN AND CHARACTER 7
as the grace they preach. They believe that their
mission is twofold — to maintain the Bible standard
of Christianity, and to preach the gospel to the poor.
Hence they require that all seats in their houses of
worship shall be free. No pews can be rented or sold
among them. The world will never be converted to
Christ so long as the churches are conducted upon
the exclusive system. It has always been contrary
to the economy of the Christian Church to build houses
of worship with pews to rent. But the spirit of the
world has encroached, by little and little, until, in
many parts of the United States, pot a single free
church can be found in any of the cities or larger vil
lages. The pew system prevails among nearly all de
nominations. They are thoroughly convinced that this
system is wrong in principle and bad in tendency. It
is a corruption of Christianity. Free churches are
essential to reach the masses. The provisions of the
gospel are for all. The "glad tidings" must be pro
claimed to every individual of the human race. God
sends the true light to illuminate and melt every
heart. To savage and civilized, bond and free, black
and white, the ignorant and the learned, is freely
offered the great salvation.
But for whose benefit are special efforts to be
put forth? Who must be particularly cared for?
Jesus settles this question. "The blind receive their
sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and
the deaf hear, the dead are raised up," and, as if all
this would be insufficient to satisfy John of the
validity of his claims, he adds, "and the poor have
the gospel preached to them." This was the crown
ing proof that he was the One that should come. In
this respect the Church must follow in the footsteps
of Jesus. She must see to it that the gospel is
preached to the poor. Thus this duty is enjoined by
the plainest precepts and examples. If the gospel is
8 ORIGIN AND CHARACTER
to be preached to all, then it follows, as a necessary
consequence, that all the arrangements for preaching
the gospel should be so made as to secure this object.
If it be said that seats would be freely given to those
who are unable to pay for them, they answer that this
does not meet the case. Few are willing, so long as
they are able to appear at church, to be publicly
treated as paupers.
If 14. You will find in this book the doctrines and
form of government of the Free Methodist church
as adopted by the general conference.
We do not wish any to subscribe to it unless they
believe it will be for the glory of God and the good
of their souls. We have no desire to build up simply
a large church; but we do hope that our societies
will be composed, exclusively, of those who are in
earnest to gain heaven, and who are determined, by
the grace of God, to live up to the requirements
the Bible.
It is of the greatest importance that those w
come into this organization shall be of one heart am
one mind. -
PART I
THE CONSTITUTION
DIVISIONS
I. ARTICLES OF RELIGION
II. GENERAL RULES
III. ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION AND
GOVERNMENT
THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH
OF NORTH AMERICA
PREAMBLE
U 15. In order that we may wisely preserve the
heritage transmitted to us, and also that we may pre
pare the way for more effective cooperation with
other branches of the church of Christ in all that
makes for the advancement of God's kingdom among
men, we, the ministers and lay members of the Free
Methodist Church of North America, in accordance
with methods of constitutional legislation established
among us, do hereby ordain, establish, and set forth
as the fundamental law, or constitution, of the Free
Methodist Church of North America, the articles of
religion, the general rules, and the articles of or
ganization and government, here following, to wit:
DIVISION 1
ARTICLES OF RELIGION
I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity
H 16. There is but one living and true God, ever
lasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wis
dom and goodness, the maker and preserver of all
things, visible and invisible. And in unity of this
11
12 ARTICLES OF RELIGION
Godhead there are three persons of one substance,
power and eternity — the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost.
II. Of the Word, or Son of God, Who Was Made
Very Man
1 17. The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the
very and eternal God, of one substance with the
Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed
virgin, so that the two whole and perfect natures, that
is to say, the Godhead and manhood, were joined to
gether in one person, never to be divided, whereof is
one Christ, very God and very man, who truly suf
fered, was crucified, dead and buried, to reconcile his
Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for the
original guilt, but also for the actual sins of men.
III. Of the Resurrection of Christ
If 18. Christ did truly rise again from the dead,
and took again his body, with all things appertaining
to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he
ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until he re
turns to judge all men at the last day.-
IV. Of the Holy Ghost
U 19. The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father
and the Son, is of one substance, majesty and glory
with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.
V. The Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for
Salvation
1f 20. The Holy Scriptures contain all things nec
essary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read
therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be re
quired of any man, that it should be believed as an
article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary
ARTICLES OF RELIGION 13
to salvation. By the term Holy Scriptures we under
stand those canonical books of the Old and New Testa
ments of whose authority there was never any doubt
in the Church.
The names of the canonical books are: Genesis,
Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua,
Judges, Ruth, the First Book of Samuel, the Second
Book of Samuel, the First Book of Kings, the Second
Book of Kings, the First Book of Chronicles, the
Second Book of Chronicles, the Book of Ezra, the
Book of Xehemiah, the Book of Esther, the Book of
Job, the Psalms, the Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, or the
Preacher, Canticles, or the Song of Solomon, Four
Prophets the greater, Twelve Prophets the less.
All the books of the New Testament, as they are
commonly received, we do receive and account
canonical.
VI. Of the Old Testament
I 21. The Old Testament is not contrary to the
New; for in both the Old and New Testaments ever
lasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is
the only Mediator between God and man. Wherefore
they are not to be heard who feign that the old
fathers did look only for transitory prpmises. Al
though the law given from God by Moses, as touching
ceremonies and rites, doth not bind Christians, nor
ought the civil precepts thereof, of necessity to be
received in any commonwealth; yet, notwithstanding,
no Christian whatsoever is free from obedience to the
commandments which are called moral.
VII. Of Original or Birth Sin
H 22. Original sin standeth not in the following
of Adam, as the Pelagians do vainly talk, but it 13
the corruption of the nature of every man that
14 ARTICLES OF RELIGION
naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam,
whereby man is very far gone from original right
eousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil and
that continually.
VIII. Of Free Will
U 23. The condition of man after the fall of Adam
is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself by
his own natural strength and works to faith and
calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to
do good works, pleasing and acceptable to God, with
out the grace of God by Christ enabling us, that we
may have a good will, and working with us, when we
have that good will.
IX. Of the Justification of Man
If 24. We are accounted righteous before God only
for the merit of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by
faith, and not for our own works or deservings;
wherefore, that we are justified by faith only, is a
most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.
X. Of Good Works
1J 25. Although good works, which are the fruits
of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put
away our sins and endure the severity of God's judg
ments, yet they are pleasing and acceptable to God
in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith,
insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evi
dently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.
XI. Of Works of Supererogation
U 26. Voluntary works — besides, over and above
God's commandments — which are called works of
supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy
and impiety. For by them men do declare that they
ARTICLES OF RELIGION 15
do not only render unto God as much as they are
bound to do, but that they do more for his sake than
of bounden duty is required; whereas Christ saith
plainly, "When ye have done all that is commanded
you, say, We are unprofitable servants."
XII. Of Sin after Justification
^ 27. Not every sin willingly committed after justi
fication is the sin against the Holy Ghost, and un
pardonable. Wherefore the grant of repentance Is
not to be denied to such as fall into sin after justifica
tion. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may
depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and by the
grace of God rise again and amend our lives. There
fore they are to be condemned who say they can no
more sin as long as they live here, or who deny the
place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.
XIII. Entire Sanctification
f 28. Justified persons, while they do not outward
ly commit sin, are nevertheless conscious of sin still
remaining in the heart. They feel a natural tendency
to evil, a proneness to depart from God and cleave to
the things of earth. Those who are sanctified wholly
are saved from all inward sin — from evil thoughts and
evil tempers. No wrong temper, none contrary to
love remains in the soul. All their thoughts, words
and actions are governed by pure love.
Entire sanctification takes place subsequently to
justification, and is the work of God wrought instan
taneously upon the consecrated, believing soul. After
a soul is cleansed from all sin, it is then fully pre
pared to grow in grace.
XIV. Future Reward and Punishment
H 29. God has appointed a day in which he will
judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, ac-
. -
16 ARTICLES OF RELIGION
cording to the gospel. The righteous shall have in
heaven an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and
that fadeth not away. The wicked shall go away into
everlasting punishment, where their worm dieth not,
and the fire is not quenched.
XV. Of Speaking in the Congregation in such a
Tongue as the People Understand
f 30. It is a thing plainly repugnant to the word of
God and the custom of the primitive Church, to have
public prayer in the Church or to minister the sacra
ment in a tongue not understood by the people.
XVI. Of the Church
1131. The visible Church of Christ is a congrega
tion of pure men, in which the pure word of God is
preached, and the sacraments are duly administered,
according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things
that of necessity are requisite to the same.
XVII. Of the Sacraments
H 32. Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only
badges or tokens of Christian men's profession, but
also they are certain signs of grace, and of God's
good will toward us, by the which he doth work in
visibly in us, and doth not only quicken but also
strengthen and confirm our faith in him.
XVIII. Of Baptism
11 33. Baptism is not only a sign of profession and
mark of difference, whereby Christians are distin
guished from others that are not baptized; but it is
also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The
baptism of young children is to be retained in the
church.
ARTICLES OF RELIGION 17
/ XIX. Of the Lord's Supper
K 34. The Supper of the Lord is not merely a sign
of the love that Christians ought to have among
themselves one to another, but rather is a sacrament
of our redemption by Christ's death, insomuch that,
to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive
the same, the bread which we break is a partaking of
the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing
is a partaking of the blood of Christ.
Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance
of bread and wine in the Supper of our Lord, cannot
be proved by holy writ, but it is repugnant to the
plain word of the Scripture, overthroweth the nature
of a sacrament, and hath given occasion to many
superstitions.
The body of Christ is given, taken and eaten in the
Supper, only after a heavenly and spiritual manner;
and the means whereby the body of Christ is received
and eaten in the Supper, is faith. The sacrament of
the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance re
served, carried about, lifted up, or worshiped.
XX. Of the One Oblation of Christ, Finished upon
the Cross
1f 35. The offering of Christ, once made, is a per
fect redemption, propitiation and satisfaction for all
the sins of the whole world, both original and actual;
and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that
alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of the masses, in the
which it is said that the priest doth offer Christ for
the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or
guilt, is a blasphemous and dangerous deceit.
XXI. Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches
f 36. It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies
should in all places be the same, or exactly alike; for
18 ARTICLES OF RELIGION
they have been always different, and may be changed
according to the diversity of countries, times and
men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against
God's word. Whosoever through his private judg
ment, willingly and purposely doth openly break the
rites and ceremonies of the church to which he be
longs, which are not repugnant to the word of God.
and are ordained and approved by common authority,
ought to be rebuked openly, that others may fear to
do the like, as one that offendeth against the common
order of the church, and woundeth the consciences of
the weak brethren. Every particular church may or
dain, change or abolish rites and ceremonies so that
all things may be done to edification.
XXII. Of Christian Men's Goods
U 37. The riches and goods of Christians are not
common, as touching the right, title and possession
of the same, as some do falsely boast. Notwith
standing, every man ought, of such things as he pos-
sesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor according
to his ability.
XXIII. Of a Christian Man's Oath
1 38. As we confess that vain and rash swearing
is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ,
and James the apostle; so we hold that the Christian
religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear
when the magistrate requireth in a case of faith and
charity, so it be done according to the prophet's teach
ing, in justice, judgment and truth.
NOTE : This article shall not deprive of membership
in our church those who have conscientious scruples
ug-ainst taking an oath.
DIVISION II
GENERAL RULES
Nature, Design and General Rules of Our United
Societies*
II 39. In the latter end of the year 1739. eight or
ten persons came to Mr. Wesley in London, who ap
peared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly
groaning for redemption. They desired, as did two
or three more the next day, that he would spend some
time with them in prayer, and advise them how to
flee from the wrath to come, which they saw contin
ually hanging over their heads. That he might have
more time for this great work, he appointed a day
when they might all come together, which, thence
forward, they did every week, namely, on Thursday,
in the evening. For these and as many more as de
sired to join with them, for their number increased
daily, he gave those advices from time to time which
he judged most needful for them, and they always
concluded their meetings with prayer suited to their
several necessities.
Tf 40. This was the rise of the "United Society,"
* The United Societies, founded in the United States
by the Apostolic Asbury, were organized into the Meth
odist Episcopal Church in 1784. The terms "society"
and "societies" have always been retained in the Meth
odist Discipline, however, being used in the sense of
church and churches. These terms have also always
been used with the same signification in the Free Meth
odist Discipline. — EDITORS OF THE DISCIPLINE OF 1911.
19
20 GENERAL RULES
first in Europe, and then in America. Such a society
is no other than "a company of men having the form
and seeking the power of godliness, united in order to
pray together, to receive the word of exhortation,
and to watch over one another in love, that they may
help each other to work out their salvation."
If 41. That it may be the more easily discerned
whether they are indeed working out their own sal
vation, each society is divided into smaller companies,
called classes, according to their respective places
of abode. There are about twelve persons in a class,
one of whom is styled the leader. It is his duty,
I. To see each person in his class once a week, at
least, in order,
1. To inquire how their souls prosper.
2. To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as oc
casion may require.
3. To receive what they are willing to give toward
the relief of the preacher, the church and the poor.*
II. To meet the ministers and the stewards of the
circuit, in order,
1. To inform the minister of any who are sick, or
of any who walk disorderly, and will not be reproved.
2. To pay the stewards what they have received
of their several classes during the week.
11 42. There is only one condition previously re
quired of those who desire admission into these so
cieties, — "a desire to flee from the wrath to come, and
to be saved from their sins." But wherever this is
really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits.
f 43. It is therefore expected of all who/ continue
therein, that they should continue to evidence their
desire of salvation,
* This part refers to towns and cities, where the poor
are generally numerous, and church expenses are con
siderable.
GENERAL RULES 21
First, by doing 110 harm, by avoiding evil of every
kind, especially that which is most generally prac
tised; such as,
The taking of the name of God in vain.
The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing
ordinary work therein, or by buying or selling.
Drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors;
or drinking them, unless in cases of extreme necessity.
The buying, selling, or holding of a human being as
a slave.
Fighting, quarreling, brawling, brother going to
law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing
for railing; the using many words in buying or selling.
The buying or selling goods that have not paid the
duty.
The giving or taking things on usury — that is, un
lawful interest.
Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation, particu
larly speaking evil of magistrates or ministers.
Doing to others as we would not they should do
unto us.
Doing what we know is not for the glory of God; as,
Belonging to secret societies.
The putting on of gold or costly apparel.
The taking of such diversions as cannot be used
in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Singing those songs or reading those books which
do not tend to the knowledge or love of God.
Softness or needless self-indulgence, especially
snuffing, chewing, smoking, growing, manufacturing
or selling tobacco, or the habitual use of opiates.
Laying up treasure upon earth.
Borrowing without a probability of paying; or tak
ing up goods without a probability of paying for them.
H 44. It is expected of all who continue in these
societies, that they should continue to evidence their
desire of salvation,
22 GENERAL RULES
Second, by doing good, by being in every kind merci
ful after their power, as they have opportunity, doing
good of every possible sort and as far as possible to
all men.
To their bodies, of the ability which God giveth,
by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked,
by visiting or helping those who are sick or in prison.
To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or ex
horting all with whom they have any intercourse,
trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine, that
"we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to
do it."
By doing good, especially to those who are of the
household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing
them preferably to others, buying of one another,
helping one another in business; and so much the more,
because the world will love its own, and them only.
By all possible diligence and frugality, that the
gospel be not blamed.
By running with patience the race which is set
before them, denying themselves and taking up their
cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ,
to be as the filth and offscouring of the world; and
looking that men should say all manner of evil of
them falsely for the Lord's sake.
| 45. It is expected of all who desire to continue
in these societies, that they should continue to evi
dence their desire for salvation,
Third, By attending upon all the ordinances of God;
such are,
The public worship of God;
The ministry of the word, either read, or expounded;
The Supper of the Lord;
Family and private prayer;
Searching the Scriptures;
Fasting or abstinence.
K 46. These are the genera' rules of our societies.
GENERAL "RULES 28
all of which we are taught of God to observe, even
in his written word, which is the only rule, and the
sufficient rule both of our faith and practise; and all
these we know the Spirit writes on truly awakened
hearts. If there be any among us who observe them
not, v>ho habitually break any of them, let it be known
unto them who watch over that soul as they who
must give an account. We will admonish him of the
error of his way. We will bear with him for a sea
son. But if then he repent not, he hath no more a
place among us. We have delivered our souls.
X
DIVISION III
I. Pastoral Charges, Quarterly and Annual
Conferences
ARTICLE I. Pastoral Charges
f 47. The lay membership of the church shall be
divided into local societies, one or more of which
shall constitute a pastoral charge.
ARTICLE II. Districts and Quarterly Conferences
U 48. The pastoral charges embraced within each
annual conference shall be grouped into districts, and
a quarterly conference shall be organized in each dis
trict, composed of such official members of the several
pastoral charges and invested with such powers as
the general conference shall direct.
ARTICLE III. Annual Conferences
H 49. The general conference shall organize the
work at large into annual conferences, of which the
Ipreachers (not being members of any local societies)
shall be permanent members; and to which, at each
session, one lay delegate shall be admitted from each
pastoral charge, and in case there be more than one
24
ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT 25
preacher in full membership appointed to a pastoral
charge, such pastoral charge shall be entitled to one
additional lay delegate for every such additional
preacher.
II. The General Conference
ARTICLE I. Of Whom Composed
*\\ 50. The general conference shall be composed of
the bishops, and of ministerial and lay delegates, to
be chosen as hereinafter provided.
ARTICLE II. Ministerial Delegates
| 51. 1. Each annual conference shall be entitled
to one ministerial delegate in the general conference,
and whenever an annual conference shall reach an
aggregate of eight hundred full members, it shall be
entitled to two ministerial delegates, and to an addi
tional ministerial delegate for every subsequent six
hundred full members, provided, however, that in n->
case shall a preacher be counted more than once i:i
the election of delegates.
2. The ministerial delegates shall be elected by the
ministers of the annual conference by ballot. Such
delegates shall be elders, and at the time of their
election, as also at the time of the general conference,
shall be members of the annual conference which
elected them.*
ARTICLE III. Lay Delegates
1 52. 1. Each annual conference shall be entitled
to the same number of lay as of ministerial delegates
in the general conference.
2. Lay delegates to the general conference shall
be elected by the lay delegates of the annual confer-
* See paragraph 87.
26 ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT
ences they are respectively to represent. They shall
be elected by ballot, from the members of the church
in full relation within the bounds of the annual
conferences to which they respectively belong, and
must be members of the church within the conference
which elected them at the time of the general con
ference.*
ARTICLE IV.' Credentials
1i 53. The secretaries of the several annual con
ferences shall furnish certificates of election to the
delegates severally, signed by the president and secre
tary of each annual conference, as the credentials
upon which they are to be admitted to the general
conference.
ARTICLE V. Sessions
H 54. 1. The general conference shall meet on
the second Wednesday in June, in every fourth year
from the year 1903 (which was the forty-first year
of its existence as a delegated general conference, it
having previously met every fourth year from 1862,
in October, and the change having been made by the
general conference of 1898), and at such time and
place as shall have been determined by the preceding
general conference, or by the executive committee,
which shall also have the power, in case of emer
gency, to change the time and place for the meeting
of the general conference.
2. The bishop or bishops, or if there be none, the
secretary of the general conference, shall, whenever
two-thirds of the annual conferences shall demand it,
call an extra session of the general conference, fixing
the date thereof, and the time of assembling, later
See paragraph 87.
ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT 27
than the next ensuing session of each of the annual
conferences.
ARTICLE VI. Presiding Officers
U 55. The general conference shall elect, by ballot,
one or more traveling elders to the office of bishop;
and the bishops shall preside at various sittings of
the general conference in such order as they may de
termine; but in case no bishop be present, the general
conference shall elect, by ballot, an elder as presi
dent pro tern. In case of the election of a new
bishop or bishops the term of office of such bishop or
bishops shall begin at the close of the general con
ference session at which they were elected.
ARTICLE VII. Missionary Bishop
11 56. The general conference may elect a mission
ary bishop or bishops, whose duties and official re
lation shall be confined to the field to which they are
respectively elected.
ARTICLE VIII. Other Officers ,
H 57. 1. The general conference shall elect, by
ballot, a secretary, a treasurer, except when the gen
eral conference ^hall refer the election of a treasurer
to the executive committee, an editor of the Free
Methodist, an editor of our Sunday-school literature,
a publishing agent, a missionary secretary, the
trustees of the general conference as required by the
articles of incorporation, and such other general of
ficers as it shall decide upon. The secretary of the
general conference shall continue in office until his
successor is elected, and shall be the custodian of the
general conference records, journal and seal.
2. The general conference may elect, by ballot,
one or more general conference evangelists.
28 ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT
ARTICLE IX. Executive Committee and Missionary
Board
11 58. The general conference shall also elect one
traveling elder and one lay member from each of the
general conference districts, who were members of
the general conference which elected them; and who,
with the bishops, shall constitute the executive com
mittee; and one traveling elder and one lay member
from each of the general conference districts to act
on the missionary board. The membership of the gen
eral missionary board shall not be restricted to mem
bers of the general conference electing them.
ARTICLE X. Quorum
U 59. At all times when the general conference is
in session, it shall require two-thirds of all the dele
gates elected by the annual conferences to form a
quorum to do business; but a smaller number may
adjourn from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.
ARTICLE XI. Voting
II 60. The members of the general conference shall
deliberate and vote as one body; nevertheless, upon
the call of one-third of the members present and
voting, the house shall divide; and it shall require a
majority of the ministerial and of the lay delegates to
pass any vote, or transact any business, provided,
nevertheless, that for changes of the constitution, a
vote of two-thirds of the general conference shall
be sufficient, as provided for in article XIII.
ARTICLE XII. Powers and Restrictions
f 61. The general conference shall have full power
to make rules and regulations for the Free Methodist
church, under the following limitations and restric
tions:
ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNMENT 29
1. The general conference shall not revoke, alter,
or change our articles of religion, or the general
rules of the united societies, or establish any stand
ards or rules of doctrine contrary to our present
existing and established standards of doctrine.
2. It shall not change or alter any part or rule of
our government, so as to do away with lay delegation,
or an itinerant ministry, or the general superin-
tendency, or the free-seat system in our churches.
3. It shall not have power to deprive our preach
ers or members of the right of trial by an impartial
committee, or of the right of an appeal.
ARTICLE XIII. Amendments
r 62. The concurrent recommendation of. three-
fourths of all the members of the several annual con
ferences, who shall be present and vote on such recom
mendation, shall suffice to authorize the next ensuing
reneral conference, by a two-thirds vote, to alter
any of the foregoing restrictive rules, except the
last; and also whenever such alteration, or altera
tions, shall have been recommended first by a two-
thirds vote of the general conference, then so soon
as three-fourths of the members of the several an
nual conferences, who were present and voted on
such recommendation, or recommendations, shall have
concurred therein, such alteration, or alterations, shall
take effect.
CHAPTERS
I. SPECIAL ADVICES
II. MEMBERSHIP
III. WORSHIP
CHAPTER I
SPECIAL ADVICES
I. Temperance
If 63. A spirit of self-denial is indispensable to
the Christian character. A large proportion of the
crime and pauperism of the country is caused by
strong drink. The Spirit of Christ never leads one to
countenance the use or sale of intoxicating liquor as
a beverage.
| 64. The stewards on all our circuits shall make
provision to use the unfermented juice of the grape
in celebrating the Lord's Supper. In no case shall
intoxicating wine be used for this purpose.
If 65. Every man of God should break away from
party trammels, and never knowingly give his vote
or influence to elect any man to office who will use
his official or personal influence to legalize the traffic
in intoxicating liquors as a beverage. As Christians
we are bound to do all we can to prohibit by law this
nefarious traffic.
II. Marriage and Divorce
| 66. We do not prohibit our people from mar
rying persons who are not members of our church,
provided such persons give evidence of being con
verted to God; but we are determined to discourage
their marrying those who do not come up to this
standard.
33
3J SPECIAL ADVICES
1T 67. Some of our members have married with
unsaved persons. This has produced bad effects.
They have either been hindered for life or have
turned back to perdition. To discourage such mar
riages: 1. Every preacher shall publicly enforce the
apostle's command, "Be ye not unequally yoked to
gether with unbelievers" (2 Corinthians 6: 14). 2.
All should be exhorted never to marry without ad
vising with some of the more serious of their brethren.
If 68. In general a woman ought not to marry with
out the consent of her parents. Yet there may be
exceptions. For if, (1) A woman believes it to be her
duty to marry, and if, (2) Her parents absolutely
refuse to let her marry any Christian, then she may,
nay, ought to marry without their consent.
1f 69. We recognize no other ground for divorce
than that permitted in the word of God (Matt. 5: 32;
Mark 10: 11, 12). Any person guilty of a violation
of this law shall have no place among us.
1f 70. Our preachers shall not officiate at the mar
riage of any person who is under eighteen years of
age, unless the parents or guardians be present or
have given written consent, and unless at least two
witnesses, knowing the contracting parties, be present.
They shall in every case refuse to officiate at the mar
riage of divorced parties, unless furnished with satis
factory evidence that the case is such as would not
conflict with the law of divorce recognized in the pre
ceding paragraph.
III. Dress
f 7 1 . We insist on the rules concerning dress.
This is no time to give encouragement to superfluity
of .apparel. Therefore, receive none into the church
till they have left off superfluous ornaments. In
order to this: 1. Every one who has charge of a cir-
SECRET SOCIETIES 35
cuit shall read Mr. Wesley's sermon on dress at least
once a year in every society. 2. In visiting the classes
be very mild but very strict. 3. Allow of no exempt
case; better one suffer than many.
IV. Secret Societies
H 72. 1. Voluntary associations are not necessarily
sinful because they are secret. But secrecy is always
a ground of suspicion. Evil works instinctively in
cline to darkness. Good works grow up in light. God
commands us to let our light shine. Even a good
cause under the shadow of secrecy invalidates its
claim to the confidence of open and honest men. Grace
and guile can have no affinity. All secrets necessary
to be kept can be kept without an oath. A bad insti
tution should not, and a good one need not, be secret.
Philanthropic associations claiming our cooperation on
Christian grounds, must do so with open face. They
must lift the veil while demanding our salutation, or
we cannot salute them by the way. Therefore, all
secret societies are to be eschewed.
2. Any society requiring an oath, affirmation, or
promise of secrecy, as a condition of membership, is
held to be a secret society; and any member joining
or continuing in such, violates his covenant obliga
tions, and shall in due form be excluded from the
church; and the preacher shall report that he is ex
cluded for infraction of our rules and regulations.
H 73. 1. We would not oppose the open and honest
organization of the laboring classes seeking in a
proper way their betterment without injuring others
or violating the inherent rights of any, but we are
opposed to the element of pledged or oath-bound
secrecy, the policy of coercion, the practise of law
lessness, or any other evil in such organizations, and
we prohibit our members from membership in labor
unions or other societies where such evils exist. We
36 SPECIAL ADVICES
hold that labor unions as now generally constituted
are secret societies and that membership therein is
a bar to membership in the church.
2. We also declare that discrimination in favor of
unionism as against non- unionism on the part of con
tractors or employers is a violation of paragraph 44
of our general rules. Any contractor or any employer
of labor found guilty, according to due process of
disciplinary trial, of thus discriminating shall be de
barred from membership in the Free Methodist
church.
CHAPTEE II
MEMBERSHIP
I. Reception on Probation
11 74. None shall be admitted on probation until
they give evidence of a desire to flee from the wrath
to come, by bringing forth fruits meet for repentance,
and give affirmative answers to the following ques
tions: 1. Have you the assurance of sins forgiven?
2. Do you consent to be governed by our general
rules ?
II. Admission into Full Membership
H 75. Xone shall be received into full membership
unless they give evidence of a renewed heart by living
up to the requirements of the general rules, and have
met in class six months on probation, have been bap
tized,* have, wherever practicable, been recommended
by the official members of the society, and give satis
factory answers to the following questions, which
shall be proposed to them before the society:
1. Have you the witness of the Spirit that you
are a child of God?
2. Have you that perfect love which casteth out
fear?
(If the candidate shall answer no, then this ques-
• Persons baptized in infancy must publicly assent to
the baptismal covenant.
37.
38 MEMBERSHIP
tion shall be asked, Will you diligently seek until
you obtain it?)
3. Is it your purpose to devote yourself the re
mainder of your life wholly to the service of God,
doing good to your fellow men, and working out your
own salvation with fear and trembling?
4. Will you forever lay aside all superfluous or
naments, and adorn yourself in modest apparel, not
with gold, or pearls, or costly array, but, which be-
cometh those professing godliness, with good works?
5. Will you abstain from connection with all secret
societies, keeping yourself free to follow the will of
the Lord in all things?
6. Do you subscribe to our articles of religion, our
general rules, and our Discipline, and are you willing
to be governed by the same?
7. Have you Christian fellowship and love for the
members of this society, and will you assist them, as
God shall give you ability, in carrying on the work
of the Lord?
Tf 76. The person giving affirmative answers to the
above questions shall, with the consent of three-
fourths of all the members present at a society meet
ing, be admitted to all the privileges of a member.
Any person in good standing in any evangelical church
may be received into full membership upon his meet
ing the other requirements of this chapter, without
his having been on probation in our church.
f 77. Where societies already organized, or sev
eral persons, design to unite with the Free Meth
odist church and form a new society, they should
adopt the Discipline as a whole, and then each person
should be admitted in his individual capacity by an
swering the questions in paragraph 75 and by the con
sent of three-fourths of the persons forming such
society.
^ 78. Any member who withdraws from the church,
MEMBERSHIP 39
{
and against whom there were no complaints pending
at the time, may, by a recommendation of the official
board, and by a three-fourths vote of the society from
which he or she withdrew, be reinstated to full
membership without being required to serve on proba
tion, providing the one wishing to reunite shall make
request to the pastor of the society within one year
from the date of withdrawal.
111. Transfer of Membership by Certificate
If 79. 1. None are to remove from one circuit to
another without a certificate from the preacher in
charge, in these words:
"A. B., the bearer, wishing to remove from this
society, we hereby certify that is an accept
able member of the Free Methodist .Church in
and cordially commend to the Free Methodist
Church in , or in any other place. When
admitted to another society his membership in this
society shall cease. This certificate is good for one
year only, unless renewed."* Without such a cer
tificate, they will not be received into the church in
other places. «
When a pastor gives a certificate of membership
with a view to transferring a member to another
society, he shall at once notify the pastor of the
society to which the certificate is addressed that such
certificate has been given.
2. If any of our members live at a great distance
from the class to which they belong and are unable
to attend, they shall, once a quarter, send to the
leader or preacher their testimony as to their religious
state. If they fail to do this, or to pay their confer-
* The person holding this certificate remains a mem
ber of the society by which it was given until the cer
tificate has been deposited iu another society.
40 MEMBERSHIP
ence claims, they may at the end of one year be re
corded on the register as "Removed without a letter."
If such persons afterwards claim their membership,
the official board may restore it. A member holding a
certificate shall be amenable to the circuit from which
the certificate was taken until the certificate is re
ceived in another place. After the certificate has
been handed in on another circuit, he shall be re
sponsible for his conduct during the time he held the
certificate to the society which he shall have joined.
It shall be the duty of the preacher receiving such
certificate of membership to notify the preacher in
charge of the circuit from which the certificate was
given, in these words: "You are hereby notified that
A. B. has been duly enrolled as a member of this
church upon a certificate issued from the church of
which you are a pastor. Signed "
3. Every member of our church in good stand
ing removing to another circuit, or desirous of unit
ing with any other evangelical church, is entitled to
a certificate of his good standing, and upon request
it shall be given him.
4. No person who wishes to leave our church,
without uniting with any other society or church, is
entitled to a certificate of membership.
5. When a certificate is given to a member of our
church who wishes to unite with some other evan
gelical denomination, the certificate shall read as fol
lows: "A. B., the bearer, wishing to become a mem
ber of another evangelical church, we hereby certify
that .... has been an acceptable member of the Free
Methodist Church, and cordially commend .... to
the fellowship of any such church with which ....
may desire to unite. H . . . . membership in the Free
Methodist Church ceases when this certificate is
given."
CHAPTER III
WORSHIP
I. Order of Public Worship
H 80. For the establishment of uniformity in public
worship among us on the Lord's day: 1. The morning
and afternoon service shall consist of singing, prayer,
reading of the Scriptures and preaching. 2. The
evening service shall consist of singing, prayer and
preaching. 3. On the days of administering the
Lord's Supper, the reading of the Scriptures in the
morning service may be omitted. 4. In administer
ing the ordinances and in the burial of the dead, we
recommend that the form of the Discipline be used.
We advise that the Lord's prayer also be used on
occasions of public worship in concluding the first
prayer, and the apostolic benediction in dismissing the
congregation; also that the official members of each
society appoint some qualified person to lead the sing
ing at the morning and evening services. 5. The
preachers should join as one man and enlarge on
the impropriety of irreverent and secular conversa
tion before and after service, and strongly exhort
those who are concerned to do it no more. If the
people assemble before the hour of service, or remain
after it, let the time be improved in singing, prayer
and testimony.
II. Singing
rni. We should guard against formality in sing
ing. Therefore,
41
42 WORSHIP
1. Choose such hymns as are proper for the oc
casion, and do not sing too much at once — seldom more
than four or five stanzas.
2. Have the tune suited to the sentiment, and do
not suffer the people to sing too slow.
3. In every society it shall be the duty of the
preacher in charge to see that due attention be given
to the cultivation of vocal and sacred music.
4. If he, himself, cannot sing, let one or two be
chosen in each society to lead the singing.
5. As singing is a part of divine worship, in which
all ought to unite, therefore exhort every person in
the congregation to sing, not one in ten only.
6. In no case let there be instrumental music or
choir singing in our public worship.
7. Let the preacher in charge see that in all cases
the Free Methodist Hymnal be used in the regular
services.
III. Love- Feasts
If 82. A love-feast shall be held on each circuit
at least once in three months.
IV. Classes and Class Meetings
U 83. The chapter on general rules says of those
who compose our societies: That it may be the more
easily discerned whether they are indeed working
out their own salvation, each society is divided into
smaller companies, called classes, according to their
respective places of abode. There are about twelve
persons in a class, one of whom is styled the leader.
It is his duty,
1. To see each person in his class once a week at
least; in order, (1) To inquire how their souls prosper.
(2) To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as oc
casion may require. (3) To receive what each is
WORSHIP 43
willing to give toward the relief of the preacher,
church and poor. 2. To meet the ministers and
stewards of the. circuit in order, (1) To inform the
minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk
disorderly, and will not be reproved. (2) To pay
the stewards what they have received of their several
classes during the week.
3. The classes shall meet, wherever practicable,
on the Sabbath day.
^ 84. There shall be a general class meeting held
in each society the first Sabbath in every month.
U 85. When any member of our church wilfully
and repeatedly neglects to meet his class, the preacher
in charge, his assistant, or the leader should visit him,
whenever it is practicable, and explain to him the
consequences if he continues to neglect, namely, cen
sure, suspension, and finally, expulsion. If he does
not amend he should be brought to trial for neglect
of duty.
PART III
OFFICIAL BODIES
CHAPTERS
I. THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
II. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
llf. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES
IV. SOUTH AFRICA MISSION CONFERENCE
V. THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE
VI. THE OFFICIAL BOARD
VII. THE CIRCUIT MEETING
VIM. THE SOCIETY MEETING
CHAPTER I
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
[IT 86. It Is desired that all things be considered on
these occasions as in the immediate presence of God ;
that every person speak freely whatever is in his heart.
While we are conversing, let us have an especial care
to set God always before us. In the intermediate hours,
let us redeem all the time we can for private exercises.
Therein let us give ourselves to .prayer for one another,
and for a blessing on our labors.]
H 87. The general conference shall be composed
of the bishops, and an equal number of ministerial
and lay delegates belonging to the Free Methodist
church, to be elected by the annual conferences, at
their respective sessions next preceding the session
of the general conference, except that conferences
held within three months of the general conference
may elect their delegates the year before.
TI 88. Each annual conference shall be entitled to
one ministerial and one lay delegate in the general
conference; and whenever an annual conference shall
reach an aggregate membership of eight hundred in
full relation it shall be entitled to two ministerial
and two lay delegates, and one additional delegate of
each kind for every subsequent six hundred members
in full relation within the conference, provided,
nevertheless, that in no case shall a preacher be
counted more than once in the election of delegates.
f 89. In electing delegates to the general confer
ence, the preachers and lay members shall vote sepa
rately, each branch electing by ballot; the preachers
47
48 GENERAL CONFERENCE
from the elders in full membership in the conference,
and the lay delegates from persons in full mem
bership in the church within the bounds of the- con
ference, the delegates to which they are respectively
entitled. Ministerial delegates shall be members of
the conference which elected them, and lay delegates
members of the church within the bounds of the con
ference which elected them, at the time of the meet
ing of the general conference.
1 90. Whenever two-thirds of the annual confer
ences shall demand it, the bishop or bishops, or, if
there be none, the secretary of the general confer
ence, shall call an extra session of the general con
ference, fixing the date thereof, and the time of
assembling, later than the next ensuing session of each
of the annual conferences.
If 91. The general conference shall meet on the
second Wednesday of June, 1903, and once in four
years, thereafter, at such place as it may designate.*
If 92. At all times, when the general conference is
met, it shall take two-thirds of all the delegates
elected by the annual conferences to form a quorum
to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn
from time to time, until a quorum is obtained.
1 93. One of the bishops shall preside in the gen
eral conference; but, in case no bishop be present,
the general conference shall elect, by ballot, an elder
as president pro tern.
1f 94. Each general conference shall elect, by bal
lot, one or more traveling elders as bishops, a secre
tary and treasurer, except when the general confer
ence shall order such treasurer to be elected by the
executive committee, an editor of the Free Methodist,
an editor of our Sunday-school literature, a publishing
ngent, and a missionary secretary. The general con-
* See paragraph 54.
GENERAL CONFERENCE 49
ference may elect, by ballot, one or more general evan
gelists. It shall also elect one traveling elder and
one lay member from each of the general conference
districts, who, with the bishops, shall constitute the
executive committee; and one traveling elder and one
lay member from each of the general conference dis
tricts to act on the missionary board. The general
conference may elect a missionary bishop or bishops
whose duties and official relation shall be confined to
the field to which they are respectively elected.
If 95. The secretary of the general conference shall
continue in office until his successor is elected, and
shall be the custodian of the general conference rec
ords and journal.
f 96. The members of the general conference shall
deliberate and vote as one body; nevertheless, upon
a call of one-third of the members present and voting,
the house shall divide; and it shall require a majority
of the ministerial and of the lay delegates present to
pass any vote, or transact any business.
197. The general conference ehall have full power
to make rules and regulations for our church, under
the following limitations and restrictions:
1. The general conference shall not revoke, alter,
or change our articles of religion, or the general rules
of the united societies, or establish any new standards
or rules of doctrine contrary to our present, existing
and established standards of doctrine.
2. It shall not change or alter any part or rule
of our government, so as to do away with lay dele
gation, or an itinerant ministry, or general superin-
tendency, or the free-seat system in our churches.
3. It shall not have power to deprive our preachers
or members of the right of trial by an impartial com
mittee, and of an appeal.
f 98. Provided, nevertheless, that upon the con
current recommendation of three-fourths of all the
Uf LESLEY AN COLLtGE
A I I CMTViVX/M DA
60 GENERAL CONFERENCE
members of the several annual conferences,- who shall
be present and vote on such a recommendation, then
a majority of two-thirds of the general conference
succeeding, shall suffice to alter either of the above
restrictions, except the last; and also, whenever such
alteration, or alterations, shall have been first recom
mended by two-thirds of the general conference, as
soon as three-fourths of the members of all the an
nual conferences shall have concurred as aforesaid,
such alteration or alterations shall take effect.
If 99. 1. It shall be the duty of every preacher in
charge of a circuit to raise annually an amount equal
to two cents per member in full relation, to de
fray the expenses of entertaining the general con
ference.
2. We recommend our people to observe the Fri
day preceding each general conference as a day of
fasting and prayer.
CHAPTER II
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
f 100. The executive committee shall consist of
the bishops, and one traveling elder and one lay
member from each of the general conference districts,
to be selected by the general conference from its
members.
If 101. The executive committee shall meet annu
ally, and whenever the bishops or one-third of the
committee shall deem it necessary. A majority of the
members elected shall constitute a quorum for trans
acting business.
K 1 02. 1. The executive committee shall, during the
interim of the general conference sessions, fill all va
cancies occurring, either in its own body or in any
of the general conference elective offices, subject to
the provisions of the Discipline.
2. The executive committee may elect by ballot
an assistant publishing agent; the publishing agent
may nominate.
| 103. 1. The executive committee shall constitute
a court of appeals, which shall, if necessary, hold a
session once a year, for the purpose of trying all ap
peals that may be taken thereto by any traveling
preachers, from the decision of an annual conference.
One of the bishops shall preside at the trial of ap
peal cases. Eight members of the committee on ap
peals shall constitute a quorum.
2. The executive committee shall have the power to
decide all questions of law referred to it in the interim
51
52 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
of the general conferences. In case of any alleged
legal irregularities in a trial court, where such court
shall deliver a verdict against the Church, the prosecu
tion may upon a written recital of such irregularities,
apply to the executive committee or the general con
ference for a writ of review, and it shall be the
province of the body receiving such application to re
view the proceedings of the lower court as recited,
and if such body shall find the alleged irregularities
to exist, the case may be remanded for a new trial,
but such case can be remanded but once.
3. The executive committee shall also constitute
the board of conference claimants.*
If 104. The executive committee shall have gen
eral supervision of the publishing interests of the
church during the interim of the general conference
sessions, and shall carefully examine into their condi
tion. It shall not, however, have power to change the
site of the publishing house, except with the consent,
of three-fourths of all the members, who shall be
present at a regularly called meeting.
* See paragraph 218.
CHAPTER III
THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES*
HI 05. Each annual conference shall be composed
of all the traveling, supernumerary and superannu
ated preachers who have been duly received into
full membership, within its bounds, and of lay dele
gates elected by the several circuits, as provided for
in paragraph 130 (2), and women evangelists as
provided for in paragraph 172 (4).
f 106. Each circuit shall be entitled to one dele-
gale, and whenever there shall be more than one
preacher traveling upon a circuit, if the preacher or
preachers be members in full relation in confer
ence, the circuit shall be entitled to one additional
delegate for every such additional preacher.
f 107. There shall be the following annual con
ferences, to wit: The Genesee, the Illinois, the Sus-
(Iiiehanna. the Michigan, the Kansas, the Minnesota
and Northern Iowa, the New York, the Iowa, the Wis
consin, the North Michigan, the Ohio, the Central
Illinois, the Texas, the Missouri, the West Kansas,
the South Dakota, the Pittsburgh, the California, the
East Michigan, the Louisiana, the Oregon, the West
Iowa, the Wabash, the Colorado, the North Minne
sota, the Nebraska, the Southern California, the
Arkansas and Southern Missouri, the Columbia River,
the Washington, the Platte Rivor, the West Ontario,
the East Ontario, the Kentucky and Tennessee, the
* See paragraph 86.
53
54 ANNUAL CONFERENCES
North Dakota, the Oil City, the Oklahoma, the South
Africa, the Southern Oregon, the Georgia and Florida,
the Saskatchewan, the Alberta, the East Texas, and
such others as may be organized as hereinafter pro
vided.
If 108. Whenever a new society shall be organized
near the boundary line between any two conferences,
and the conference in whose territory the new society
is located shall have no organized work within forty
miles of said new society, such new society shall be
permitted to decide for itself to which conference it
shall belong.
If 109. Each annual conference shall appoint the
place, and, with the concurrence of the bishops, the
time of its own sessions. If for any reason a con
ference cannot be held at the place appointed, the
determination of the place shall be left with the dis
trict elders and the secretary of the last conference.
If 110. 1. In the absence of the bishop, or of
the elder whom he may have appointed, the conference
shall elect, by ballot, an elder from their own number,
to preside.
2. It shall elect a secretary who shall record in a
suitable book the proceedings of the annual confer
ence, and send said record to the general conference
for examination. He shall continue in office until his
successor is elected and shall be the custodian of the
conference records and journal.
3. It shall elect a treasurer, and in case of a
vacancy in said office the distric£ elders of the confer
ence may appoint a treasurer to act until the next
session.
4. It shall elect an auditor who shall carefully
audit the accounts of the treasurer and report at
the close of each annual session.
If I 1 1. It shall be the duty of the secretary of each
annual conference holding its session next preceding
ANNUAL CONFERENCES 55
the session of general conference to transcribe from
the annual conference records all the decisions of
disciplinary law rendered by the bishops during the
quadrennium, giving the number of page or pages
upon which such decisions are recorded, and forward
the same with the conference records to the seat of
general conference.
U 1 1 2. The ministers and lay members composing
the annual conference shall deliberate and vote as one
body; but at the call of one-fourth of all the members
present and voting, the house shall divide, and the
ministers and lay members vote separately; and it
shall require a majority of both branches to consti
tute a vote of the conference.
HI 1 3. The territory embraced by each annual con
ference shall be divided into districts, and over each
of these one of the elders shall be appointed by the
conference as district elder.
If I 14. The district elders and an equal number of
lay members to be elected by ballot the first day of
the session, together with the president of the con
ference, shall constitute a stationing committee, of
which the president shall be chairman, and have a
casting vote. No person who is recommended to the
annual conference to be received on trial, though act
ing as a delegate, shall be eligible to serve on the sta
tioning committee. It shall be the duty of the sta
tioning committee to appoint the preachers to their
several fields of labor. No preacher shall be ap
pointed to the same circuit more than three years
in succession, except in the case of appointments
among foreign speaking or colored people.
f I 15. It shall be the duty of each annual confer
ence having claimants, to appoint a committee at
each annual session on claimants and claims, composed
of the president of the conference, and two ministers
and two lay members nominated by the president and
56 ANNUAL CONFERENCES
elected by the conference. No minister shall be
placed on the superannuated list without having first
been recommended by this committee. It shall alsa
be the duty of this committee at the session -during
which it serves, to report as to who are claimants
and to estimate the amount necessary for their sup
port for the ensuing year, subject to the approval of
the conference, which shall forward the estimate to
the secretary of the board of claimants.
ff I 16. An annual conference may, upon the unani
mous recommendation of the stationing committee,
leave a preacher without an appointment. Any
preacher so left without an appointment two years in
succession may be located by vote of the annual con
ference.
1f I 1 7. When a preacher is located, or discontinued
by an annual conference, the stationing committee
shall fix the place of his membership. When an un-
ordained preacher on trial and in good standing in
the annual conference is discontinued from the travel
ing connection by his conference, he shall sustain the
relation of local preacher until the ensuing session of
his quarterly conference.
If 118. A preacher may be appointed to a circuit
without having charge of the same; in such cases the
administration of the circuit shall devolve upon the
district elder and the official board.
If 119. Each annual conference is required to or
ganize a conference evangelistic board which shall be
authorized to carry on aggressive evangelistic work
within its bounds. This board shall have power to
raise funds and to employ evangelists, band workers
and helpers to labor within the conference bounds,
who, with the concurrence of the district elders, shall
be authorized to establish new societies where the in
terests of the cause of God require, providing that it
ANNUAL CONFERENCES 57
make provision and be responsible for the support of
all the laborers which it employs.
U 120. Whenever a woman holding an evangelist's
license is recommended by the quarterly conference a§
a suitable person to be received into the annual con
ference, she may be received on trial and into full
membership and be ordained a deacon, on the same
conditions as we receive men into the same relations;
provided always, that this ordination of women shall
not be regarded as a step toward ordination as elder,
and provided further, that no woman whose husband
is a member of an annual conference either on trial
or in full relation shall be eligible to be received into
the conference.
If 121. Members of an annual conference may be
appointed as evangelists. They shall be entitled to
the rights and privileges of those appointed to cir
cuits, and shall be subject to the same rules and regu
lations, so far as they apply to their circumstances.
They shall be subject to the restrictions of paragraph
172 (8). No preacher, however, shall be granted an
evangelist's relation to the conference who does not
intend to devote all his time to evangelistic work.
f 122. Each annual conference shall inquire —
1. What are the names of preachers and delegates
having a seat in this conference?
2. Who are the stationing committee?
3. What preachers are admitted on trial?
4. Who remain on trial?
5. Who are admitted into full membership?
G. Who are the deacons?
7. Who have been elected and ordained elders this
year ?
8. Who have located this year?
9. Who are the supernumerary preachers?
10. Who are the superannuated or worn-out
preachers?
68 ANNUAL CONFERENCES
11. Who have been received by transfer and from
what conference?*
12. Who have withdrawn from the conference this
year?
13. Who have been given certificates of good
standing with a view to transfer to another confer
ence?
14. Are all the preachers blameless in life and
conversation? Have they, during the past year, dis
charged their duties to God, themselves, and one an
other. See paragraphs 135 to 138 and 142.f
lf>. Who have died this year?
16. What is the number of church members?
17. Amount collected for conference claimants?
For the bishops? For general missions? For the
annual conference missionary fund? For foreign mis
sions? For educational fund?
18. Number of Sunday-schools? Of officers and
teachers? Of scholars? Of members on the cradle
roll? Of members in the home department? Of
volumes in library?
19. What has been expended during the year on
the circuits for Sabbath-school purposes? What has
been raised by the Sabbath-schools for foreign mis
sions and other benevolences?
20. How many copies of the Free Methodist art-
taken ':
21. What amounts are necessary for the super
annuated preachers, and the widows and orphans of
preachers?
22. At the session next preceding the session of
the general conference, the question shall be asked,
What amount is necessary for us to raise toward
* It shall be the duty of the conference receiving a
preacher by transfer to notify the secretary of the con
ference from which he was transferred of his reception.
t Let the president call attention to the contents of
these portions of the Discipline.
ANNUAL CONFERENCES 59
defraying the expenses of delegates to the general
conference?
23. What has been collected on the foregoing ac
counts, and how has it been applied?
24. Where are the preachers stationed this year?
25. Where, and when, shall our next conference be
held?
We recommend our people to observe the Friday
preceding each annual conference as a day of fasting
and prayer.
CHAPTEK IV
SOUTH AFRICA MISSION CONFERENCE
I. Membership
If 123. There shall be three classes of member
ship as follows:
1. Members in 'Full Relation. — Missionaries who
are members in full relation of any conference in
America, and who may have their certificates of stand
ing at the time of the organization of this conference,
shall be members of this conference in full relation,
as well as those who may be regularly admitted here
after, either by certificates of standing, or from the
condition of preachers on trial.
2. Acting Missionary Members. — All missionaries
on the field who hold credentials from the missionary
board, and who shall have been on the field two years,
and have passed a satisfactory examination in the
required course of study, shall be members of the con
ference.
3. Native Lay Members. — These shall be selected
by their respective circuits, according to the Dis
cipline. Each charge, circuit or station shall be en
titled to one delegate, and whenever there shall be
more than two missionaries upon any charge, circuit
or station, entitled to a vote in the conference, then
that charge, circuit or station shall be entitled to an
additional delegate.
60
SOUTH AFRICA CONFERENCE 61
II. Reserved Subjects
f 124. The three classes of members above speci
fied shall sit and vote as one body on all matters com
ing up before the conference, according to Discipline,
with the following exceptions:
1. Electing district elders.
2. Electing the stationing committee.
3. Passing the character of ministerial or acting
missionary members of the conference.
4. The consideration or investigation of any ques
tions or complaints affecting the character of min
isterial or acting missionary members of the confer
ence.
5. Requesting appropriations from the general
missionary board, or applying on the field moneys
appropriated by the board.
In consideration of the questions above mentioned,
the missionaries shall sit and vote apart from the con
ference, and all missionaries who hold credentials
from the board and who have been on the field the two
years required by the rules, shall be entitled to sit
and vote on the above mentioned subjects. Any
missionary, however, who shall have been regularly
appointed to the charge of a mission station, or of a
mission school, or is a member of the annual confer
ence in full relation, before the expiration of the
two years above referred to shall be entitled to sit
and vote on the above subjects after having been one
year on the field, and having passed the first year's
examination in the study of the language.
6. The meeting of the missionaries when sitting
and voting apart shall be known as "the missionary
meeting."
If 125. 1. The question of receiving any one on
trial or in full membership, or of electing to deacon's or
aider's orders shall not be brought before the confer-
C2 SOUTH AFRICA CONFERENCE
ence unless the case of each individual has been first
considered by the missionary meeting and that body
has by a majority vote recommended that the person
be so received or elected.
2. Acting missionary members may be elected to
orders and ordained after meeting the requirements,
for each class, according to paragraphs 120, 155, 156
of the Discipline.
See paragraphs 397, 398.
CHAPTER V
THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE
If 126. 1. The quarterly conference shall be com
posed of the traveling preachers and the members of
the official boards of the district.
2. Four sessions of the quarterly conference shall
be held each year, in connection with the general
quarterly meetings, at such times and places as it
may designate, provided, however, that upon the writ
ten request of one-half of the preachers on the dis
trict and an equal number of lay members, who are
members of the quarterly conference, the district
elder may call a special session.
3. The district elder shall be president of the quar
terly conference, and in his absence the quarterly
conference shall elect one of its members to preside.
4. A secretary shall be elected by the quarterly
conference, who shall keep a faithful record of its
proceedings, and shall send the said record to the
annual conference for its examination. The quarterly
conference shall also elect a treasurer for the dis
trict.
5. The quarterly conference shall.
(1) Hear complaints.
(2) Try appeals.
(3) Grant and renew licenses to preach.
(4) License band workers.
(5) Recommend" suitable persons to the annual con
ference to be employed as traveling preachers.
(6) Recommend suitable persons to the annual con
ference to receive deaconess' license.
63
64 QUARTERLY CONFERENCE
(7) Recommend suitable persons to the annual
conference to receive ordination as deacons or elders.
(8) In connection with the district elder, appoint
and hold camp meetings as the interests of the cause
of God may require.
6. No person shall be licensed as a local preacher
until he has been previously licensed as an exhorter
and has been recommended by the official board of the
circuit to which he belongs, and until he has first been
examined by the quarterly conference, or district
elder, in regard to his soundness in doctrine and his
piety, gifts, and usefulness have been duly consid
ered. No one shall be licensed until satisfactory an
swers are given to all the questions found in para
graph 134 of the Discipline: "Of the Examination of
Those Who Think They are Moved by the Holy Ghost
to Preach."
Order of Business for Quarterly Conference
H 127. 1. Call to order, by district elder, or, in
his absence, by the secretary.
2. Devotional exercises.
3. Calling of the roll. (At the first session of the
year a roll should be made out and then called.)
4. Election of secretary.
5. Election of treasurer.
6. Reading of the minutes of previous session.
7. Reports from committees.
8. Is there any unfinished business?
9. Is there any new business?
10. Are there any complaints?
11. Are there any appeals?
12. Shall we hold any camp meetings this year?
If so, how many? When? Where?
13. Are there any recommendations for local
preacher's license? For evangelist's license? For
band worker's license?
QUARTERLY CONFERENCE 65
14. Reports from preachers on condition of the
charges, and also regarding the Sunday-schools.
15. Reports from evangelists and deaconesses.
1C. Financial report of district elder.
17. Report of treasurer.
(Questions IS to 24, last session of year only.)
18. Are there any licenses to be renewed?* Lo
cal preachers' ? Evangelists' ? Are there any deacon
esses to be recommended to the annual conference for
renewal of license or for permanent license?
19. Are there any suitable persons to be recom
mended to the annual conference for reception on trial?
-20. Are there any women evangelists to be recom
mended for a seat in the annual conference?
21. Are there any evangelists to be recommended
for annual conference license?
22. Are there any women to be recommended to
the annual conference for deaconess' license?
23. Are all the local elders, local deacons, evan
gelists and deaconesses licensed by the annual con
ference, blameless in life and faithful and efficient in
service?!
24. Are there any recommendations to the annual
conference for ordination? As elder? As deacon?
25. When and where shall our next session be
held?
20. Reading and approval of minutes.
27. Adjournment.
* All licenses previously granted should be renewed at
the last session of the conference year.
t All preachers, evangelists and deaconesses should
retire while their characters or their licenses are under
consideration. P^vangelists licensed by the annual con
ference shall make a report of their work to the quar
terly conference, and in case of failure to do so, the quar
terly conference may recommend to the annual confer-
once that said license bo revoked.
CHAPTER VI
THE OFFICIAL BOARD
If 128. 1. An official meeting, composed of the
pastors, local preachers, exhorters, evangelists, dea
conesses, stewards, class leaders, Sunday-school super
intendents who are members of our church and belong
on the circuit, and trustees of church property when
such trustees are members of our church on the cir
cuit where the church property is located, shall be
held in each circuit once a month whenever prac
ticable.
2. The preacher in charge shall be chairman of
the official meeting, except as provided for in para
graph 160 (6), and in his absence a chairman shall be
elected.
3. A secretary and treasurer shall be elected by
the official board. The secretary shall keep in a suit
able book, provided for that purpose, faithful minutes
of the proceedings of the official board, and also of
the meetings of the circuit and shall properly record
all marriages and baptisms. The treasurer shall keep
a record of all money raised on the circuit for religious
purposes, and of the manner in which the same was
expended, and give a full report of the same at the
annual circuit meeting.
4. The official board shall look after the spiritual
and temporal interests of the circuit.
Order of Business for Official Meeting
f 129. 1. Devotional exercises.
2. Election of a secretary.
66
OFFICIAL BOARD 67
3. Calling of the roll.
4. Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting.
5. Election of a treasurer.
6. Inquire, (1) Are there any sickV
(2) Are there any poor needing help'/
(3) Are there any whose probation has expired V
(4) Are there any walking disorderly and who will
not be reproved?
(5) Are there any recommendations from the so
ciety for exhorter's license?*
(6) Are there any exhorters' licenses to be re
newed?
(7) Are there any exhorters to be recommended
for local preachers' license?
(8) Have the collections been taken as ordered by
the conference?
(9) What amount has been raised for pastoral
support?
(10) What amount has been raised for the dis
trict elder's claim?
(11) What amount has been raised for other pur
poses, and how has it been applied?
(12) Is there any money in the treasury?
(13) Are there any claims to be presented?
(14) Is there any unfinished business, or are there
any committees to report?
(15) Is there any new business, or are there any
committees to be appointed?
(16) Are there any vacancies in the board of
trustees?
(17) Is the title of the church property secure?
(18) Is the church property insured?
7. Reading the minutes.
8. Adjournment.
* No person should be licensed to exhort without a
recommendation from the society of which he is a
member.
CHAPTEK VII
THE CIRCUIT MEETING
If 130. 1. Every circuit shall, have, within three
months prior to the session of the annual conference
to which it belongs, an annual circuit meeting, of
which the preacher in charge shall be chairman, and
the secretary of the official board shall be secretary.
Such circuit meeting shall be announced in each so
ciety at least ten days before said meeting shall be
held.
2. At this meeting the members of the church in
full relation on the circuit shall elect, by ballot, one
or more of their number to represent them in the
annual conference according to the provisions of
paragraph 106. No person on trial in an annual con
ference shall be eligible to election as a delegate.
3. The annual circuit meeting shall decide the
number of stewards to be elected upon the circuit,
and also the number to be elected by each society.
Where there is but one society, stewards, Sunday-
school superintendents and trustees (when not in con
flict with the charter or the laws of the state) may
be elected by the annual circuit meeting. Any va
cancy that may occur shall be filled by the society in
which such vacancy occurs. See paragraph 132 (3).
4. At this meeting there shall be a full report pre
sented by the trustees of the church property. See
paragraph 234.
5. The preacher in charge of a circuit, or in his
absence or refusal to do it, a majority of the official
CIRCUIT MEETING 69
board, may call a meeting of the circuit, whenever
in their judgment the interests of the church require
it.
Order of Business for Circuit Meeting
If 131. 1. Devotional exercises.
(Secretary of the official board acts as secretary.)
2. Calling of the roll.
3. Report of treasurer of official board, paragraph
128 (3).
4. Election of tellers.
5. Election of a delegate to the annual conference.
6. Election of a reserve delegate.
7. Decide the number of stewards to have in each
society on the circuit.
8. Receive the report of the trustees.
9. Miscellaneous business.
10. Approval of the minutes.
11. Adjournment.
CHAPTER VIII
THE SOCIETY MEETING
f 132. 1. The society meeting shall be composed
of all the members of the church in full relation,
composing a single society.
2. The preacher in charge shall be chairman of
the society meeting, and a record of its proceedings
shall be kept by a secretary elected for that purpose.
3. It shall be the duty of the society meeting to
recommend suitable persons for exhorters' and evan
gelists' licenses, for deaconess' license and for band
workers; to elect the number of stewards directed by
the annual circuit meeting; elect Sunday-school super
intendents; to select persons to act as a committee in
case of the trial of members; decide the propriety of
incorporating; elect trustees subject in all cases to
the statutes of the state, territory or country in which
the society is located.
4. The preacher in charge of a circuit, or in his
absence or refusal to do it, a majority of the official
board, may call a meeting of the society, whenever in
their judgment the interests of the church require it.
Order of Business for Society Meeting
U 133. 1. Devotional exercises.
2. Calling of the roll.
3. Election of a secretary.
4. Recommendations: (1) For exhorter's license
(to the official board). (2) For evangelist's license
70
SOCIETY MEETING 71
(to the district quarterly conference). (3) For dea
conesses' license (to the district quarterly confer
ence). (4) For band worker's license (to the district
quarterly conference).
5. Election of tellers.
6. Election of stewards (the number fixed by the
circuit meeting).
7. Election of Sunday-school superintendent. (The
preacher in charge may nominate. See paragraph
253.)
8. Elect trial committee (if necessary).
9. Decide whether to incorporate (if necessary).
10. Elect trustees (if the state law allows).
11. Miscellaneous business.
12. Approval of the minutes.
13. Adjournment.
Each class elects its own class leader. The
preacher in charge may nominate. See paragraph
176 (1).
PART IV
THE MINISTRY
CHAPTERS
I. QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK
II. MINISTERS AND ANNUAL CONFER.
ENCES
III. DEACONS AND ELDERS
IV. BISHOPS
V. DISTRICT ELDERS
VI. PASTORS, OR PREACHERS IN CHARGE
VII. SUPERNUMERARY AND SUPERANNU
ATED MINISTERS
I. The Call to Preach
11 134. Examination of Those Who Think They
Are Moved by the Holy Ghost to Preach. — 1. The fol
lowing questions shall be asked the candidate, name
ly: Do you know God as a pardoning God? Have you
the love of God abiding in you? Do you desire noth
ing but God? Do you believe you are called of God
to preach the gospel?
2. The following questions shall be considered by
the quarterly conference: Have they gifts as well as
grace for the work? Have they in some tolerable de
gree a clear, sound understanding, a right judgment
in the things of God, and a just conception of salva
tion by faith? Has God given them any degree of
utterance? Do they speak justly, readily, clearly?
Have they fruit? Are any truly convinced of sin, and
converted to God by their preaching? And are they
holy in all manner of conversation?
As long as these marks concur in any one, we be
lieve he is called of God to preach. These we receive
as sufficient proof that he is moved by the Holy
Ghost.
II. Rules for a Preacher's Conduct
| 135. Be diligent. Never be unemployed; never
be triflmgly employed. Never trifle away time;
75
76 QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK
neither spend any more time at any place -than is
strictly necessary.
Be serious. Let your motto be, Holiness to the
Lord. Avoid all lightness, jesting and foolish talking.
Converse sparingly and conduct yourself prudently
with women (1 Tim. 5:2). Take no step toward
marriage without first consulting your brethren.
Believe evil of no one without good evidence; un
less you see it done, take heed how you credit it.
Put the best construction on everything. You know
the judge is always supposed to be on the prisoner's
side.
Speak evil of no one, because your word, especially,
would eat'as doth a canker. Keep your thoughts with
in your own breast, till you come to the person con
cerned.
Tell every one under your care what you think
wrong in his conduct or temper, and that lovingly
and plainly as soon as may be; else it will fester in
your heart. Make all haste to cast the fire out of
your bosom.
Avoid all affectation. A preacher of the gospel is
the servant of all. Be ashamed of nothing but sin.
Be punctual. Do everything exactly at the time.
And do not mend our rules, but keep them; not for
wrath, but for conscience' sake.
t You have nothing to do but to save souls; there
fore, spend and be spent in this work; and go always
not only to those who need you, but to those who
need you most.
Observe, it is not only your business to preach so
many times, and to take care of this or that society,
but to save as many as you can; to bring as many
sinners as you can to repentance, and with all your
power to build them up in that holiness without which
they cannot see the Lord. And remember that a Free
Methodist preacher is to mind every point, great and
PREACHER'S CONDUCT 77
•small, in the Free Methodist Discipline! Therefore,
you will need to exercise all the sense and grace you
have.
Act in all things not according to your own will, but
as a son in the gospel. As such it is your duty to
employ your time in the manner in which we direct;
in preaching, and visiting from house to house; in
reading, meditation and prayer. Above all, if you
labor with us in the Lord's vineyard, it is needful
that you should do that part of the work which we
advise, at those times and places which we judge
most for his glory.
U 136. The following smaller advices may be of
use:
Be sure never to' disappoint a congregation.
Begin at the time appointed.
Always suit your subject to your audience.
Choose the plainest texts you can.
Take care not to ramble, but keep to the text, and
make out what you take in hand.
Avoid everything awkward or affected, in your ges
ture, phrase or pronunciation.
Do not usually pray more than eight or ten minutes,
at most, without intermission.
Frequently read and enlarge upon a portion of
scripture; and young preachers should often exhort
without taking a text.
Always avail yourself of the great festivals, by
preaching on the occasion.
Let your deportment be serious, weighty and
solemn.
III. Spiritual Qualification
If 137. A preacher is to be qualified for his charge
by walking closely with God, and having his work
greatly at heart; and by understanding and loving
discipline, ours in particular,
78 QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK
If 138. We should frequently ask each r/ther the
following questions:
Do you walk closely with God? Have you now
fellowship with the Father and the Son? At what
hour do you rise? Do you punctually observe the
morning and evening hours of retirement? Do you
spend the day in the manner which the conference
advises? Do you converse seriously, usefully and
closely?
To be more particular, you should use all the means
of grace yourself, and enforce the use of them on all
other persons.
They are either instituted or prudential.
The instituted are:
1. Prayer — private, family and public; consisting
of deprecation, petition, intercession and thanksgiv
ing.
Do you use each of these? Do you forecast daily,
wherever you are, to secure time for private devo
tion? Do you practise it everywhere? Do you ask
everywhere, Have you family prayer? Do you ask
individuals, Do you use private prayer every morning
and evening in particular?
2. Searching the Scriptures — reading regularly,
some part every day; regularly, all the Bible in order;
carefully, with notes; seriously, with prayer before
and after: fruitfully, immediately practising what you
learn there; meditating, at set times and by rule;
hearing the word at every opportunity, with prayer,
before, at, after. Have your Bible always about
you.
3. The Lord's Supper. Do you use this at every
opportunity? With solemn prayer before? With de
liberate self-devotion?
4. Fasting. Do you use as much abstinence and
fasting every week as your health, strength and labor
will permit?
SPIRITUAL QUALIFICATION 79
5. Christian conference. Are you convinced how
important and difficult it is to order your conversation
aright? Is it always with grace, seasoned with salt,
meet to minister grace to the hearers'? Do you con
verse too long at a time? Is not an hour commonly
enough? Would it not be well always to have a de
termined end in view, and pray before and after?
The prudential means wre may use either as Chris
tians, as Free Methodists, or as preachers.
As Christians, what particular rules have you in
order to grow in grace? What arts of holy living?
As Free Methodists, do you never miss your class?
As preachers, have you thoroughly considered your
duty? Are you conscientious in executing every part
of it? Do you meet each society and its leaders?
These means may be used without fruit. But there
are some means which cannot; namely, watching,
denying ourselves, taking up our cross and living al
ways as in the presence of God.
Do you steadily watch against the world? Your
self? Your besetting sin? Do you deny yourself
every useless pleasure of sense, imagination, honor?
Are you temperate in all things? Instance, in food?
Do you use only that kind and that degree which is
best both for body and soul? Do you see the neces
sity of this? Do you eat no more at each meal than
is necessary? Are you not heavy or drowsy after
dinner? Do you use only that kind and degree of
drink which is best both for the body and soul? Do
you choose and use water for your common drink?
And only take wine medicinally or sacramentally?
Wherein do you take up your cross daily? Do you
cheerfully bear your cross, however grievous to na
ture, as a gift of God, and labor to profit thereby?
Do you endeavor to set God always before you? To
see his eye continually fixed upon you? Never can
you use these means but a blessing will ensue. And
80 QUALIFICATION'S AND WORK
the more you use them, the more you will grow in
grace.
IV. Matter and Manner of Preaching
H 139. The best general method of preaching is:
1. To convince. 2. To offer Christ. 3. To invite.
4. To build up. 5. To do this in some measure in
every sermon.
f 140. The most effectual way of preaching Christ
is to preach him in all his offices, and to declare his
law, as well as his gospel, both to believers and unbe
lievers. Let us strongly and closely insist upon in
ward and outward holiness in all its branches.
V. Where to Preach
If 141. We do not deem it advisable to preach in
as many places as we can without forming societies.
We have made the trial in various places, and that
for a considerable length of time. In all cases the
seed has fallen by the wayside. There is scarcely
any fruit remaining.
1. We should endeavor to preach most where there
is the greatest number of quiet and willing hearers,
and where there is most fruit.
2. We ought diligently to observe in what places
God is pleased at any time to pour out his Spirit
more abundantly; and at that time to send more
laborers than usual into that part of the harvest.
VI. Pastoral Visitation and Enforcement of Practical
Religion
1f 142. We should endeavor to assist those under
our care, and to aid in the salvation of souls by in
structing them in their own homes. What unspeak
able need there is of this!
We can but just touch on a few particulars. How
PASTORAL VISITATION 81
little faith is there among even professing Christians!
How little communion with God! How little living in
heaven, walking as for eternity, deadness to every
creature! How much love of the world, desire of
pleasure, of ease, of getting money! How little broth
erly love! What continual judging one another! What
gossiping, evil-speaking, tale-bearing! What want of
moral honesty! To instance only one particular: Who
does as he would be done by in buying and selling?
Family religion is wanting in many branches. And
what avails public preaching alone, though we could
preach like angels? We must, yea, every traveling
preacher must instruct the people from house to
house.
Our religion is not sufficiently deep, or universally
uniform. It is superficial, partial, uneven. It will be
so until we spend half as much time in this visiting,
as we now do in talking uselessly. Can we find a
better method of doing this than Mr. Baxter's? If
not, let us adopt it without delay. His whole tract,
entitled, The Reformed Pastor, is well worth a care
ful perusal. Speaking of this visiting from house to
house, he says: "We shall find many hindrances,
both in ourselves and the people.
1. "In ourselves there is much dulness and lazi
ness, so that there will be much ado to get us to be
faithful in the work.
2. "Some of us have a foolish bashfulness. We
know not how to begin, and blush to contradict the
devil.
3. "But the greater hindrance is weakness of faith.
Our whole motion is weak, because the spring of it is
weak.
4. "Lastly, we are unskilled in the work. How
few know how to deal with men so as to get within
them, and suit all our discourse to their several con
ditions and tempers; to choose the fittest subjects,
82 QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK
and follow them with a holy mixture of seriousness,
terror, love, and meekness?"
Undoubtedly this private application is implied in
those solemn words of the apostle: "I charge thee
before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall
judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and
kingdom, preach the word; be instant in season, out
of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-
suffering."
O brethren, if we could but set this work on foot
in all our congregations, and prosecute it zealously,
what glory would redound to God! If the common
lukewarmness were banished, and every shop and
every house were busied in speaking of the word and
works of God, surely God would dwell in our habita
tions, and make us his delight.
If 143. It is objected, 1. "This will take up so
much time we shall not have leisure to follow our
studies." We answer, 1. Gaining knowledge fs a
good thing, but saving souls is better. By this very
thing you will gain the most excellent knowledge, that
of God and eternity. 2. You will have time for gain
ing other knowledge, too. Only sleep no more than
you need; "and never be idle or triflingly employed."
But, 3, if you can do but one, let your studies alone.
We ought to throw by all the libraries of the world,
rather than be guilty of the loss of one soul.
It is objected, 2. "The people will not submit to
it." If some will not, others will. And all the suc
cess with them will repay all your labors. Oh, let us
herein follow the example of St. Paul! 1. For our
general business, Serving the Lord with all humility
of mind. 2. Our special work, Take heed to your
selves and to all the flock. 3. Our doctrine, Repent
ance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. The place, I have .taught you publicly, and from
house to house. 5. Th<> object and manner of teach-
PASTORAL VISITATION
ing, I ceased not to warn every one night and day,
with tears. 6. His innocence and self-denial herein,
I have coveted no man's silver or gold. 7. His pa
tience, Neither count I my life dear unto myself. And
among all other motives, let these be ever before orr
eyes: 1. The Church which he hath purchased with
his own blood. 2. Grievous wolves shall enter in;
yea, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking
perverse things.
Write this upon your hearts, and it will do you
more good than twenty years' study. Then you will
have no time to spare; you will have work enough.
Then, likewise, no preacher will stay with us who is
as salt that has lost its savor. For to such, this
employment will be mere drudgery. And in order to
do it, you will have need of all the knowledge you
can procure, and all the grace you can obtain.
f 144. The sum is, Go into every house in course,
and teach every one therein, young and old, to be
Christians, inwardly and outwardly. Make every par
ticular plain to their understandings. Fix it in their
minds, write it on their hearts. In order to do this,
there must be line upon line, precept upon precept.
What patience, what love, what knowledge is req
uisite for this! We must needs do this, were it only
to avoid idleness. Do we not loiter away many hours
in every week? Each try himself. No idleness is
consistent with a growth in grace. Nay, without
exactness in redeeming time, you cannot retain the
grace you received in justification.
|-|45. Why are we not more holy? Why do we
not live as for eternity? Why do we not walk with
God all the day long? Why are we not all devoted to
doing good, breathing the whole spirit of missionaries?
Chiefly because we do not properly use the means.
1. How few wait upon the Lord in secret prayer until
his blessing comes on the soul? 2. Do we know the
84 QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK
obligation and benefit of fasting and abstinence? 3.
How often do we practise it? 4. How little there is
of self-denial? 5. How few bring their tithes and
offerings into the storehouse of the Lord? 6. How
much there is of consecration to our own wills in
stead of to the will of the Lord? 7. How few mani
fest a disposition to submit themselves one to an
other? 8. What a want there is of properly govern
ing the tongue? The neglect of these alone is suffi
cient to account for our feebleness and faintness of
spirit. We should amend from this hour.
If 146. How shall we guard against Sabbath break
ing, evil speaking, unprofitable conversation, lightness,
expensiveness or gayety of apparel, and contracting
debts without due care to discharge them?
1. We should preach expressly on each of these
heads. 2. Read in every society the sermon on evil
speaking. 3. The leaders should closely examine and
exhort every person to put away the accursed thing.
4. The preachers should warn every society that none
who is guilty herein can remain with us. 5. Extir
pate from our church all buying or selling of goods
which have not paid the duty laid upon them by gov
ernment. 6. Extirpate bribery, receiving anything,
directly or indirectly, for voting at any election. 7.
Strongly advise our people to discountenance all
treats given by candidates before or at elections, and
not to be partakers in any respect of such practises.
Show no respect to persons herein, but expel all that
touch the accursed thing.
VII. Employment of Time
1f 147. We advise you, 1. As often as possible,
to rise at five. 2. From five to six in the morning,
and from five to six in the evening, to meditate, pray,
and read the Scriptures with notes, and the closely
UNION AMONG OURSELVES 85
practical parts of what Mr. Wesley has published. 3.
From seven in the morning till twelve (allowing one
hour for breakfast) read with much prayer, some of
our best religious books.
Other reasons may concur why the people under
our care are not -better, but the chief is, because we
are not more knowing and more holy.
But why are we not more knowing? Because we
are idle. We forget our first rule, "Be diligent.
Never be unemployed. Never be triflingly employed.
Neither spend any more time at any place than is
strictly necessary." We fear there is altogether a
fault in this matter, and that few of us are clear.
Which of us spend as many hours a day in God's work
as we did formerly in man's work? We talk — talk or
read what comes next to hand. We must, absolutely
must, cure this evil, or betray the cause of God. But
how? 1. Read the most useful books, and that regu
larly and constantly. 2. Steadily spend all the morn
ing in this employment, or at least five hours in the
four and twenty. "But I have no taste for reading."
Contract a taste for it by use, or return to your
former employment. "But I have no books." Be
diligent to spread the books, and you will have the
use of them.
VIII. Union Among Ourselves
f 148. We should be deeply sensible, from what
we have known, of the evil of division in principle,
spirit, or practise, and of the dreadful consequences
to ourselves and others. If we are united, what can
stand before us? If we divide, we shall destroy our
selves, the work of God, and the souls of our people.
In order to a closer ULion with each other,
1. We should be deeply convinced of the absolute
necessity of it. 2. Pray earnestly for, and speak
86 QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK
freely to each other. 3. When we meet, let us never
part without prayer. 4. Take care not to despise
each other's gifts. 5. Never speak lightly of one
another. 6. Defend one another's character in every
thing, so far as is consistent with truth. 7. Labor in
honor each to prefer the other before himself. 8.
We recommend a serious perusal of The Causes, Evils
and Cures of Heart and Church Divisions.
IX. Union with Others
1i 149. We have Christian fellowship and love for
all persons of whatever denomination, who show by
their lives that they "follow peace with all men, and
holiness without which no man shall see the Lord."
We will unite with all well disposed persons, in an
cpen, Christian manner, in promoting social and civil
reforms. But we cannot unite, where we are re
quired to compromise our principles, in holding union
meetings with any person, or denomination, whose
practical standard of Christian character and church
fellowship, is obviously below that plainly set forth
in the New Testament.
CHAPTER II
MINISTERS AND ANNUAL CONFERENCES
I. Reception on Trial
U 150. A preacher may be received on trial by an
annual conference after passing a satisfactory exam
ination in the prescribed course of study, and after
having been duly recommended by a quarterly con
ference; and when so received he shall receive from
the annual conference a certificate of his relation,
signed by the president and secretary. But the re
quirements of this paragraph shall not be so fully
enforced as to preclude the reception of a person con
verted or called to preach in middle life, who, in the
judgment of the annual conference, is possessed of
natural gifts and graces such as to promise at least
a fair degree of success in the work of God; such
exceptions in all cases to follow the unanimous recom
mendation of the stationing committee.
II. Reception into Full Membership
Tf 151. A traveling preacher may be received into
full membership after having been employed in the
regular itinerant work two successive years subse
quent to his reception on trial by an annual confer
ence, and after passing a satisfactory examination in
the required course of study, and giving satisfactory
answers to the following questions, namely:
1. Have you faith in Christ V
2. Have you present assurance of sins forgiven?
87
88 MINISTERS AND CONFERENCES
3. Do JTOU believe in Christian perfection?
4. Have you attained to this rich experience in
your own heart? (If not) Are you groaning after
it?
5. Are you resolved to devote yourself wholly to
God and his work?
6. Do you know the general rules? Do you keep
them?
7. Do you regularly attend the sacrament?
8. Have you read our Discipline?
9. Are you willing to conform to it?
10. Have you considered the rules for a preacher?
11. Will you keep them for conscience' sake?
12. Are you determined to employ all your time
in the work of God?
13. Will you endeavor not to speak too long or
too loud?
14. Will you diligently instruct the children in
every place?
15. Will you visit from house to house?
16. Will you recommend fasting, or abstinence,
both by precept and example?
17. Are you in debt?
III. Reception from Other Denominations
TJ 152. 1. Ministers from other evangelical
churches who desire to unite with our church may
be received according to our usages, on condition of
their giving satisfactory answers to the questions
which we propose to our own members and ministers
before receiving them into full membership and of
their giving satisfaction to an annual conference of
their being in orders, and of their agreement with us
in doctrine, discipline, government and usages; pro
vided the conference is also satisfied with their gifts,
graces and usefulness.
2. Every minister, whether local or itinerant,
TERMINATION OP MEMBERSHIP 89
whose ordination is recognized by an annual confer
ence, shall be entitled to a parchment from the presi
dent of the conference, certifying the fact of his
ordination.
IV. Termination of Conference Membership
Tf 153. 1. By voluntary location.
2. By location through action of the conference,
under the provisions of paragraph 116.
3. By ceasing to travel or do the work assigned,
without the proper consent. See paragraph 157.
4. By withdrawal with consent of the conference.
See paragraphs 122 (12), 390.
Tf 154. When satisfactory evidence shall have been
received that a conference minister has united with
another denomination without having requested or
received from our church proper credentials of with
drawal, he may be declared withdrawn by a majority
vote of the conference. No minister leaving the
church after complaints have been lodged against him
shall, if by any means he regain membership in the
church, be allowed to exercise any of the functions
of the ministerial office until legal satisfaction shall
have been given the conference to which he belonged
at the time of leaving the church.*
* In case an ordained minister in good standing in the
Free Methodist church unites with another church, or is
granted his request to withdraw from the Free Methodist
church, he shall deposit his parchments with the secre
tary of the conference, who shall give him a receipt for
the same. If an ordained preacher shall be expelled
from the church, or he permitted to withdraw under
charges, he thereby forfeits his parchments and they
ehall be deposited with the secretary of the conference
from which .he withdrew or was expelled. If he re
fuses or neglects to so deposit them, the conference shall
hy official action, declare them forfeited.
CHAPTER III
I. DEACONS AND ELDERS
If 155. Traveling Deacons: 1. A minister who
has been employed in the regular itinerant work for
two successive years after his reception on trial, and
who has passed a satisfactory examination in the
required course of study, may be constituted a travel
ing deacon by the election of a majority of the con
ference, and the laying on of the hands of the presi
dent.
2. It is the duty of a deacon to baptize, to offi
ciate in marriage ceremonies, to assist the elder in
administering the Lord's Supper, and, when appointed
to a charge, to perform all the duties of a traveling
preacher.
If 156. Traveling Elders: 1. Every traveling deacon
shall exercise that office two years before he is
eligible to the office of elder, except in the case of
missions, when 'the conference shall have authority to
elect him to the elder's office sooner if they judge it
expedient. A traveling deacon shall be constituted
a traveling elder by the election of a majority of the
conference and by 'the laying on of the hands of the
president and some of the elders present, after having
passed a satisfactory examination in the required
course of study.
2. It is the duty of an elder to administer bap
tism and the Lord's Supper, to officiate in marriage
ceremonies and all parts of divine worship, and, when
90
DEACONS AND ELDERS 91
appointed to a charge, to perform all the duties of a
traveling preacher. No unordained preacher of the
Free Methodist church shall be authorized to solemn
ize the marriage ceremony.
K 157. No elder or deacon who ceases to travel,
without the consent of the annual conference, certified
under the hand of the president of the conference,
except in case of sickness, inability, or other unavoid
able circumstances, shall on any account exercise the
peculiar functions of his 'office, or even be allowed to
preach among us; nevertheless, the final determination
in all such cases is with the annual conference.
CHAPTER IV
BISHOPS
K 158. The general conference shall elect by bal
lot one or more traveling elders as bishops, who
shall remain in office during the quadrennium and until
others shall be elected in their places.
If 159. It shall be the duty of the bishops:
1. To travel through the connection at large.
2. To oversee the spiritual and temporal interests
of our church, and to labor to promote its purity,
peace and prosperity.
3. To establish new societies.
4. To receive and suspend preachers, according to
the provisions of the Discipline.
5. To change preachers from one district to an
other, where the districts are presided over by dif
ferent elders, with the consent of the preacher to be
removed and of the district elders, and a majority
of the official board of the circuit from which he is to
be removed.
6. To transfer a preacher from one conference to
another, with the consent of the preacher and of the
conference to which he is transferred, and, in the
intervals of the sessions of the conference, with the
consent of the district elders of the conference to
which he is transferred; provided, that no preacher
shall be transferred to another conference without
a certificate of his good standing and general accepta
bility, given by his annual or quarterly conference.
7. To form new conferences in the intervals of
92
BISHOPS 93
general conferences, as the wants of the work may
demand, subject to the approval of the general con
ference; provided, that no new conference shall be
formed without the consent of the conference whose
territory is affected, and also, without the consent of
at least two-thirds of the members of the executive
committee; provided, also, that no new conference
shall be organized with less than five preachers in full
membership and one hundred full members writhin its
bounds.
8. To preside at the sessions of the general con
ference, the executive committee, the annual confer
ences, and at the trial of appeals taken from quarter
ly or annual conferences, and to decide all questions
of law therein, subject to an appeal to the general
conference.
9. The bishops shall estimate the amount neces
sary to pay the expenses of delegates to the general
conference, and shall apportion the same among the
several conferences. Any annual conference deficient
in its apportionment shall have such deficit deducted
from the amount appropriated for the expenses of its
delegates to the general conference.
10. The bishops shall be amenable to the general
conference for the discharge of their official duties,
and for their Christian conduct to the annual con
ferences to which they respectively belong.
CHAPTEE V
DISTRICT ELDERS
H 160. It shall be the duty of the district elder:
1. To look after the spiritual and temporal in
terests of the church within his district; to take the
charge of all circuits without a preacher, and the
oversight of the work on his district, according to
the Discipline.
2. To see that every part of the Discipline is duly
enforced.
3. To visit every circuit on his district whenever
he may judge it expedient. The district elder is
especially directed and required to visit any circuit
in his district, when so requested by the official board,
in case of any dispute or difficulty, or any emergency
that may arise. In such cases he shall have power to
call an official, society or circuit meeting, and to pre
side over the same. The circuit sending for him shall
pay his traveling expenses.
4. To hold four general quarterly meetings in his
district during each year.
5. To hold quarterly meetings once in three months
in each circuit within his district, and to labor as an
evangelist within his district, if in the judgment of
the annual conference the cause of God can be best
served thereby. He shall also make a statement of
the growth and progress of the work on the district
at each general quarterly meeting.
6. When a district has a traveling district elder
he may hold an official, circuit, or society meeting on
94
DISTRICT ELDERS 95
each circuit, in connection with his quarterly meetings;
or he may appoint a supply subject to the approval
of the pastor.
7. To appoint, receive, suspend and change preach
ers in his district or districts in the intervals of the
conference sessions; provided he shall not change any
preacher contrary to his wishes, unless by the re
quest of two-thirds of the members of the circuit.
8. To see that deeds of lands upon which it may be
proposed to build any church or parsonage within
the bounds of his district are properly made out and
recorded, or that a good and sufficient bond or contract
is given for such deed before such building is begun.
9. To give the bishop all the necessary information
of the state of his district.
10. The district elder shall not have power to
employ a preacher that has been rejected by the an
nual conference, without permission of said con
ference.
11. The district elder may, with the consent of
the preacher in charge and the official board, divide
a circuit in the intervals of the annual conference, if
the interest of the work require it.
12. Xo district elder shall preside over the same
district in the same conference more than four years
in succession.
13. Traveling district elders shall be elected by
ballot in open conference, without debate, and shall
be assigned to their respective districts either by an
election to the districts direct, or by appointment by
the stationing committee, as the conference shall de
cide.
14. Stationed district elders shall be nominated
by ballot by the stationing committee, and elected
by ballot in open conference, without debate.
15. In case there should be a vacancy in the office
of district elder during the intervals of the sessions
96 DISTRICT ELDERS
of any annual conference, the president of the con
ference or his successor shall have power to fill such
vacancy, subject to the approval of the ensuing quar
terly conference of the district; but if such vacancy
should be filled after the last session of the quar
terly conference of the conference year, then the
secretary of the quarterly conference shall have power
to call a special session for the sole purpose of con
firming the appointment of the president.
1G. Whenever in the judgment of an annual con
ference the interests of the work can. be best sub
served thereby, the same district elder may be ap
pointed to more than one district at the same time.
17. The district elder shall be a member of the
quarterly conference on the district which he serves;
and, in case he be appointed to two or more districts,
the stationing committee shall fix his quarterly con
ference relation.
18. The district elder shall be supported by the
circuit to which he is appointed, unless he devotes
all his time in labors as an evangelist, as provided
for above, in which case he shall receive his support
from the district, each circuit contributing its pro
portion, as agreed upon in the quarterly conference.
CHAPTER VI
PASTORS, OR PREACHERS IN CHARGE
H 161. The duties of a preacher who has the charge
of a circuit are, 1. To receive and dismiss members
according to the Discipline; provided, however, that
no person shall be recorded on the register as ".with
drawn at his own request" until such action is ap
proved by the official board.
2. To see that the other preachers in his circuit
behave well, and need nothing.
3. To examine each of the leaders concerning his
method of leading his class, observe which leaders
are the most useful and have these meet the other
classes as often as possible, and see that all the lead
ers are persons not only of sound judgment, but truly
devoted to God. See also paragraph 176 (4).
4. To hold watch-nights and love-feasts, and to
see that the sacrament is administered at least once
in three months.
5. To take care that every society is duly supplied
with books.
6. To take an exact account of all members in
the societies of their respective circuits, keeping the
names of all local elders, deacons and preachers
properly distinguished, and deliver such account to
the annual conference, that their number may be
printed in the minutes.
7. To give an account of his circuit every quarter
to the quarterly conference.
8. To report to the society, at least once a quarter,
97
98 PASTORS IN CHARGE
the names of those who have been received into the
church, or excluded therefrom during the quarter,
also the names of those who have been received or
dismissed by certificate, and those' who have died or
withdrawn from the church.
9. To make a regular catalogue of the societies in
towns and cities, giving the residence of each member
by street and number.
10. To leave his successor a particular account of
the circuit, including an account of the subscribers
for our periodicals.
11. To enforce vigorously, but calmly, all the rules
of the society.
12. As soon as there are four believers in any
place to put them into a class.
13. To meet the societies and classes; to visit
the sick; to visit all members and probationers on his
circuit, at least once in three months, and all members
of bis congregation whenever practicable; to preach
out of doors wherever an attentive congregation can
be found; to raise money for the purchase of tracts
and attend to their distribution upon his circuit; to
see that all the collections ordered by the conference
are raised in full. All members shall pay their claims
for the entire year to the circuit from which they
were last reported to an annual conference.
14. To warn all from time to time, that none are
to remove from one circuit to another without a cer
tificate from the preacher in charge.
15. To reconxmend everywhere decency and cleanli
ness.
16. To read the rules of the society, with the
aid of the other preachers, once a year in every con
gregation, and once a quarter in every society.
17. To see that the trustees are duly elected ac
cording to the law of the state; and that the real
PASTORS IN CHARGE 99
estate belonging to the church is duly secured accord
ing to law.
18. To see that no steps be taken involving the
circuit in financial liability, without the consent of
the official board.
19. To warn the people of the evil consequences
to themselves and the Church of God, of covetous-
ness and withholding of their means from supporting
the gospel, and to urge upon all systematic and pro
portionate giving, and to preach upon the same, en
couraging our people to tithe their incomes.
20. To see that a fast be held in every society
in his circuit, on the Friday preceding every quar
terly meeting.
21. To execute all the rules fully and strenuously
against all frauds, and particularly against dishonest
insolvencies, secret societies, labor and capitalistic or
ganizations, contravening paragraph 73, suffering
none to remain in our church, on any account, who
are found guilty thereof.
f 1 62. During the sittings of the conferences all
appointments should stand according to the plan of
the circuit. Engage as many local preachers and ex-
horters as will supply them; and pay them for their
time in proportion to the allowances of the traveling
preachers. If preachers and exhorters cannot attend,
let some person of ability be appointed in every so
ciety to sing, pray and read one of Mr. Wesley's ser
mons. But if that cannot be done, let there be prayer
meetings.
CHAPTER VII
SUPERNUMERARY AND SUPERANNUATED
PREACHERS
1f 1 63. A supernumerary preacher is a member of
an annual conference whose efficiency is temporarily
impaired, and whose relation as a supernumerary is
fixed by a vote of his conference on recommendation
of the stationing committee. His annual conference
may give him an appointment or leave him without
one, as in its judgment may seem best. In no case
shall he have any claim on the superannuated fund.
When left without an appointment, his quarterly con
ference relation shall be determined by the station
ing committee.
If 164. A superannuated preacher is one who is so
disqualified by physical disability or old age that he
cannot take charge of a circuit or occupy any posi
tion in the church which will afford him sufficient in
come for his support. The question as to his dis
ability shall be determined by his conference, on the
recommendation of the committee on claimants and
claims. His quarterly conference relation shall be
fixed by the stationing committee.
100
PART V
LOCAL PREACHERS AND LAY
HELPERS
CHAPTERS
I. LOCAL PREACHERS
II. EVANGELISTS
III. EXHORTERS
IV. DEACONESSES
V. BANDS AND BAND WORKERS
VI. CLASS LEADERS
VII. STEWARDS
CHAPTER I
LOCAL PREACHERS
HI 65. The quarterly conference shall take cog
nizance of all the local preachers in the district, and
shall inquire into the gifts, labors, and usefulness of
each preacher by name.
1JI 66. A licensed local preacher shall be eligible
to the office of deacon after he has preached four
years from the time he received a regular license,
and has obtained a recommendation from the quar
terly conference, after proper examination as to his
Christian character, his usefulness as a preacher, and
after he has passed a satisfactory examination in the
prescribed course of study.
If 167. A local deacon shall be eligible to the office
of elder after he has preached four years from the
time he was ordained a deacon, and has obtained a
recommendation from 'the quarterly conference of
which he is a member, certifying his qualifications in
doctrine, discipline, talents and usefulness, and has
passed a satisfactory examination in the prescribed
course of study.
H 168. Every local elder, deacon or preacher shall
be amenable to the quarterly conference where he
belongs for his Christian character and the faithful
performance of his ministerial office. He shall have
his name recorded on the journal of said conference,
and also enrolled on a class paper, and shall meet in
class; and in neglect of the above duties, or neglect
to pass a satisfactory examination in the prescribed
103
104 LOCAL PREACHERS
course of study, the quarterly conference, if they
judge it proper, may deprive him of his ministerial
office; provided, no ordained local preacher shall be
deprived of his ministerial functions without due
form of trial and conviction.
K 169. Let the appointments be so arranged as
to give the local preachers regular and systematic
employment on the Sabbath.
f 170. When a local preacher or evangelist is em
ployed as a supply, his membership shall be on the
charge where he labors. He shall take a regular
church letter whenever he may be so employed out
side of the district where, his membership may be.
f 171. The examination of local preachers may be
conducted orally.
CHAPTER II
EVANGELISTS
If 172. Evangelists arc a class of preachers called
of God to preach the gospel, to labor to promote
revivals of religion, and to spread abroad the cause
of Christ in the land; but not in all cases called
to a pastoral charge or to government in the church.
1. Any brother or sister in good standing in our
church, feeling called of God to this work, may, upon
recommendation of the society to which he belongs,
be licensed by the quarterly conference, after due
examination, according to paragraph 134 of our Dis
cipline, entitled "Examination of Those Who Think
They Are Moved by the Holy Ghost to Preach." Such
evangelists shall be members of the quarterly confer
ence, amenable to it, and shall pass an examination
in the course of study for local preachers.
2. Those who labor successfully as evangelists for
the period of four years, may, upon recommendation
of the quarterly conference, be licensed by the an
nual conference; and such license shall hold good un
til revoked by the action of said annual conference.
3. A woman who has been duly licensed as an
evangelist may be received into an annual confer
ence as a traveling preacher under certain conditions,
according to paragraph 120 of the Discipline.
4. When women evangelists have been licensed by
the annual conference, and have served two suc
cessive years under appointment as pastors, they may,
upon recommendation of the quarterly conference of
105
106 EVANGELISTS
which they are members, and at the option of the an
nual conference, have a voice and vote in the annual
conference; and in the transaction of conference
business they shall be counted with the preachers.
This relation shall continue only while they receive
appointments as pastors.
5. The general conference may elect general evan
gelists, who shall travel through the country at large,
subject to the direction of the general missionary
board (except in those cases- where the general con
ference shall appoint them to special fields), open new
fields of labor, organize new societies, and provide
and place over them, temporarily, pastors, prepara
tory to the organization of new conferences where we
have none. If they, shall form new societies in any
of our existing conferences, such societies shall be
under the care of the district elder of the adjacent
district.
6. The general evangelist shall have the over
sight of other evangelists laboring in immediate con
nection with him.
7. Such evangelist shall be amenable to the annual
conference to which he belongs.
8. No evangelist shall appoint or hold meetings
where they will interfere with the regular work of
any preacher duly appointed to a circuit or station.
9. The examination of evangelists may be con
ducted orally.
CHAPTER III
EXHORTERS
f 173. 1. Exhorters are a class of laymen li
censed by the official board of a circuit or station
to conduct religious services of a more or less in
formal character, and to exercise their gifts in horta
tory discourse, or in laboring otherwise to promote
revivals and to advance the interests of the kingdom
of God. They are expected to be the pastor's helpers,
and hence should make it their special study to quali
fy themselves for rendering aid in the work of the
charge, as also for general efficiency in various de
partments of Christian work.
2. No person shall be licensed as an exhorter un
less he gives evidence of knowing God experimentally,
is of good reputation among those by whom he is
well known, exhibits the marks of fair intelligence,
and shows himself an apt learner in the school of
Christ. It is hoped that those who serve God and the
church in this relation may grow in knowledge, grace
and efficiency, so that the church may feel warranted
in calling them into its higher ministries.
3. Nor shall any person be licensed as an exhorter
among us until he shall have been duly recommended
by the society of which he is a member, after having
lived among them a sufficient time to enable them
to know that his religious experience, the spirit he
manifests, his general deportment, and his gifts, are
such as to commend him to Christian people generally.
107
CHAPTER IV
DEACONESSES
If 174. Deaconesses are a class of women who feel
divinely called to advance the cause of Christ, but
not to become pastors or evangelists. The duties of
a deaconess shall be to care for the sick, provide -for
the orphans, save the erring and fallen, and to al
leviate as far as possible the sufferings of those within
her reach.
1. Persons to be licensed as deaconesses shall be
at least twenty-five years of age and of good report
in the church for works of charity and for constancy
of faith.
2. No persofl shall be recommended for deaconess'
license who has not proved her Christian character
and experience by living a consistent Christian life
as a full member of the Free Methodist church for
at least two years in succession immediately pre
ceding the application.
3. Candidates for deaconess' license must first be
recommended to the quarterly conference by the so
ciety of which they are members.
4. The quarterly conference, after examination
into the gifts, graces and usefulness of a candidate,
may recommend her to the annual conference to re
ceive license as a deaconess.
5. The annual conference, after consideration of
the gifts, graces and usefulness of a person thus rec
ommended, may grant her a license as a deaconess,
108
DEACONESSES 109
such license to be good for one year only unless
renewed.
6. Having been thus licensed for two years in suc
cession, one year of which at least shall have been
spent in practical deaconess' work, and, having passed
a satisfactory examination in the prescribed course
of study, such person may receive from the annual
conference a license which shall be good until re
voked by the annual conference.
7. Each deaconess shall be amenable to the quar
terly conference within the bounds of which she holds
her church membership, and shall report her work
annually to the quarterly conference.
8. The garb of a deaconess shall be a dark gray
dress and black bonnet with white ties. This garb
however, shall not be worn until she receives a per
manent license from the annual conference.
9. The office of deaconess shall not be considered
perpetual. A deaconess may at any time relinquish
her license and discontinue her work. But while
devoting her time to this work she shall be entitled
to a suitable support. The method of providing for
the support of a deaconess shall be determined by the
annual conference within which she holds her license.
10. A deaconess shall be a member of the quar
terly conference of the district within the bounds of
which she holds her church membership.
11. The examination of deaconesses may be con
ducted orally.
CHAPTER V
BANDS AND BAND WORKERS
If 175. 1. District elders, and evangelists appoint
ed by the general or annual conferences, or licensed
by an annual conference, may organize bands for
evangelistic work; but no person shall become a mem
ber of such a band without recommendation from the
society to which he belongs.
2. The rules and regulations of such bands shall
be subject to the approval of the annual conference
to which the leader belongs, or within the bounds of
which he holds his membership.
3. All bands shall be under the direction of the
district elder or evangelist organizing the same, and
no band leader shall appoint or hold meetings where
they will interfere with the regular work of any
preacher duly appointed to a circuit or station or
district.
4. Those who labor successfully in a band for
one year, may be licensed by the quarterly conference
from year to year, as band workers.
110
CHAPTER VI
CLASS LEADERS
H 176. 1. Class leaders shall be elected in the
last quarter of the conference year. The preacher
in charge may nominate and the class shall elect
the leader by ballot, and if any person not nominated
by the preacher receive a majority of the votes, he
shall be declared elected. Any member of the society
shall be eligible to election as leader.
2. Each leader should carefully inquire how each
soul in his class prospers; not only how each observes
the outward rules, but how he grows in the knowl
edge and love of God.
3. The leaders should consult with those who have
the charge of their circuits.
4. Let the preacher in charge see that improper
leaders are changed by a new election.
5. The leaders should frequently meet one an
other's classes.
Ill
CHAPTER VII
STEWARDS
If 177. 1. The stewards should be persons of
solid piety, who both know and love the Free Meth
odist doctrine and Discipline, and of good natural and
acquired abilities to transact temporal business.
2. The number of stewards in each circuit shall
not be less than three, nor more than nine.
3. The stewards of each society shall be elected
by ballot at a regular society meeting to be held sub
sequent to the annual circuit meeting. Where there
is but one society they may be elected by the circuit
meeting.
1 178. The duties of stewards are: 1. To take an
exact account of all the money or other provisions
collected for the support of the ministers in the
circuit. 2. To make accurate returns of every ex
penditure of money, whether to the preachers, the
sick or the poor. 3. To seek the needy and dis
tressed in order to relieve and comfort them. 4. To
inform the preachers of any sick or disorderly per
sons. 5. To tell the preachers what they think
wrong in them. 6. To attend the quarterly meetings
of their circuit. 7. To give advice, if asked, in plan
ning the circuit. 8. To attend committees for the
application of money to churches. 9. To give counsel
in matters of arbitration. 10. To provide elements
for the Lord's Supper. 11. To write circular letters
to the societies in the circuit to be more liberal if
need be; as also to let them know, when occasion re
quires, the state of the temporal concerns of the cir
cuit at the last quarterly meeting.
112
PART VI
JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION
CHAPTERS
I. CHURCH TRIALS
II. INSOLVENCIES AND SETTLEMENT OF
DISPUTES
CHURCH TRIALS
I. Object of Church Discipline
f 179. The great object of church discipline is to
reclaim and restore the erring member. This should
be steadily kept in view in every step that is taken.
Every effort that love can suggest should be made
to bring back to the Lord one who, while under
our care, has wandered from him.
f 180. In all cases of personal trespass, and in
other cases where the circumstances permit, let the
duty be lovingly and faithfully performed, which our
Lord enjoins in Matthew 18: 15-17:
"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee.
go and tell him bis fault between thee and him alone;
if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one
or two more, that in the mouth of two or three wit
nesses every word may be established. And if he
shall neglect to hear, them, tell it unto the church;
but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto
thee as a heathen man and a publican."
f 181. If the last duty becomes necessary, let it
be performed in the following manner:
II. General Directions
If 182. 1. Every crime forbidden in the word of
God, sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom
115
116 CHURCH TRIALS
of grace and glory, shall subject a member to expul
sion from the church.
2. Both accuser and accused shall be entitled to
the assistance of such counsel as they may select
from the members or ministers of the church.
3. Both the accused and the accuser shall have
the right of challenge for cause, the validity of which
shall be determined by the presiding officer at the so
ciety meeting where the committee to try the case is
elected.
4. In all trials the proceedings shall be taken down
by a secretary appointed by the court; and when an
appeal is taken, the case shall be decided from the
testimony as it appears upon the record.
5. In appeal cases, no person shall be allowed to
sit who has previously voted in the decision of the
case.
6. In all appeal cases the appellant shall present
the counsel for the church a statement in writing of
the grounds of his appeal, at least five days before
the trial of the appeal.
7. In the trial of appeal cases the court shall
either affirm or reverse the verdict rendered in the
former trial, or remand the case for a new trial; and
in cases of remanding for a new trial no person shall
be eligible as a juror in the new trial who voted on
the first trial.
8. After such forms of trial and expulsion, such
persons shall have no privileges of society or sacra
ments in our church, without contrition, confession
and reformation satisfactory to the conference or
society from which they have withdrawn or by which
they have been expelled.
1f 1 83. In all cases brought to trial in the church,
either the plaintiff or the defendant may request a
change of venue, and shall present in writing the
reasons for such request; and if the presiding officer
TRIAL OF TRAVELING PREACHERS 117
shall, after duly considering the grounds upon which
such request is made, be convinced that conditions
and circumstances are such as to render a fair and
impartial trial reasonably doubtful in the conference
or other body before which the action has been com
menced, he may order the change of venue requested,
and decide as to the conference or other body before
which the case shall be tried.
III. Trial of Preachers in Full Membership
j[ 184. The neglect of duties required by the word
of God or the indulgence of sinful tempers, words or
actions, as well as the dissemination of false doctrine,
shall subject a preacher so offending to private re
proof by the official member of the church having the
oversight of the offending brother; and in case of
persistence after proper admonition and labor, to
trial, suspension from ministerial functions, or ex
pulsion.
U 185. Any preacher against whom a charge is
brought, shall be furnished by the person preferring
the charge, or by the presiding officer of the tribunal
to which he is judicially responsible, with a copy of
the charges against him, at lea-st ten days before the
trial, unless all the parties agree upon an earlier time
for trial.
1 186. Any traveling preacher who wilfully neg
lects or refuses to do the work assigned him by his
annual conference, except in case of sickness or other
unavoidable circumstances, shall be brought, by the
district elder, or the bishop, before a committee of
three ministers and three laymen, which shall have
power to suspend him from all the functions of a
preacher until the ensuing session of the annual
conference, with which the final determination of the
case shall rest, and which shall have power to render
the suspension final.
118 CHURCH TRIALS
H 187. If a charge of immorality or of unchristian
conduct is brought against a traveling preacher in
the interval of the annual conferences, the district
elder shall call a committee of not less than three
nor more than six traveling preachers, and an equal
number of laymen, which shall have power to sus
pend until the next session of the annual confer
ence, with which shall rest the decision of the case.
If 188. But if the accused be a district elder, then
three of the preachers of his district shall call in
the district elder of an adjoining district, who shall
call the accused before a committee as above provided,
and preside. The district making such a call shall
pay the traveling expenses of the district elder so
called.
f 189. Each annual conference shall have original
jurisdiction over all the preachers belonging thereto,
and shall have power to reprove, suspend, locate for
inefficiency or want of usefulness, or expel, according
to the nature of the case, and as righteousness may
require. This shall not be so construed as to deprive
traveling preachers of the ten-days' notice provided
in paragraph 185, except in case of a preacher charged
with gross immorality who voluntarily absents him
self from the session of his annual conference.
1f 190. All cases brought before an annual con
ference, either by complaint or by appeal, may be
referred to a committee of not less than four from
each branch, which, in the presence of the president
of the conference, or an elder whom he may appoint
(provided that neither party objects to the person so
appointed) shall, either during its session or after its
adjournment, try the case and decide upon its merits,
and its decision shall have the same effect as that
of the annual conference, provided, however, that in
all cases the defendant shall be allowed to be tried by
FORM OF PROCEDURE 119
the select committee rather than by the conference, if
he so prefers.
If 191. In all cases of trial and conviction of travel
ing preachers, an appeal to the ensuing general con
ference or court of appeals, as the appellant may
choose, shall be allowed, if the condemned person
signifies his intention to appeal, at the time of con
demnation, or within thirty days after he shall have
been notified thereof.
If 192. All cases brought before the general con
ference by appeal, may, with the consent of both par
ties, be referred to a committee of not less than six
ministerial and six lay delegates, which, in the pres
ence of one of the bishops, shall hear the case, and
decide upon its merits; and its decision shall have the
same effect as that of the general conference.
If 193. When an appeal has been taken, penalty
shall be suspended pending the hearing of the appeal,
except that a minister suspended shall not exercise
his ministerial office while his appeal is pending.
IV. Form of Procedure
I. FORM FOR A BILL OF CHARGES
If 194. 1. Charge. (Name the offense.)
2. Specifications. (Name the acts, times and
places.)
II. ORDER OF CONDUCTING- CHURCH TRIALS
If 195. 1. Devotional exercises.
2. Reading of the action of the society meeting
or conference by which the committee to try the case
was appointed, and the names of the committee.
3. The appointment of a secretary.
4. Reading the charges and specifications by the
secretary.
5. Answer by the accused in person or by counsel.
120 CHURCH TRIALS
6. Statement of the case, and line of evidence by
the prosecution.
7. Evidence of the prosecution, and cross-examina
tion by the defense.
8. Statement of the case and line of defense, by
the defense.
9. Evidence for the defense, and cross-examina
tion by the prosecution.
10. Rebutting evidence for the prosecution.
11. Rebutting evidence for the defense.
12. Summing up the case by the prosecution.
13. Summing up the case by the defense.
14. In case it be deemed proper to allow the prose
cution to reply, the defense shall also be permitted to
reply.
15. The verdict.
V. Restoration of Credentials
f 196. 1. When a member of an annual confer
ence is deprived of his credentials, by expulsion or
otherwise, they shall be filed with the papers of his
conference; and should he, at any future time, give
satisfactory evidence to the said conference of his
amendment, and procure a certificate from the quar
terly conference of the charge where he resides or
from an annual conference which may have received
him on trial, recommending to the annual conference
of which he was formerly a member the restoration
of his credentials, the said conference may restore
them.
2. When a local elder or d-eacon shall be expelled
the district elder shall require of him the creden
tials of his ordination, to be filed with the papers
of the annual conference within the limits of which the
expulsion has taken place; and should he, at any
future time, produce to the annual conference a cer
tificate of his restoration, signed by the president
TRIAL OF LOCAL PREACHERS 121
and countersigned by the secretary of the quarterly
conference, his credentials may be restored to him.
3. If an ordained elder or deacon shall refuse to
surrender his credentials of ordination when law
fully required to do so, he thereby forfeits his parch
ments, and, at its first session thereafter, his annual
conference should declare them forfeited.
VI. Proceedings Against a Preacher on Trial
U 197. A preacher on trial in an annual conference
shall be accountable for his moral and Christian con
duct to the quarterly conference of the district within
the bounds of which he travels. If charges are
brought against him, he shall be tried the same as a
local preacher.
VII. The Trial of a Local Preacher
If 198. An accused local preacher or evangelist
shall be tried by the quarterly conference of which
he is a member; or, at the option of the quarterly
conference, by a committee of not less than three nor
more than nine, chosen for this purpose by the quar
terly conference, which shall have power to reprove,
suspend or expel, according to the nature of the case
and as righteousness may require. The district elder
shall preside at the trial.
But if, for any reason, the district elder shall be
unable, to preside, or, if he shall be personally so re
lated to the case to come before the quarterly con
ference as to disqualify him for presiding, the bishop
who last presided at the annual conference of which
the quarterly conference forms a part shall appoint
another elder to preside.
If 199. If a charge of gross immorality is brought
against a local preacher or evangelist in the interval
of the sessions of the quarterly conference, the dis-
122 CHURCH TRIALS
trict elder shall call a committee of not less than
three members of the quarterly conference, which shall
have power to suspend until the next session of the
quarterly conference.
If 200. 1. Whenever a change of venue is granted,
the quarterly conference to which it is removed shall
take cognizance of the case and proceed to give it a
hearing at its first regular session.
2. If in the change of venue the case is removed
to a quarterly conference over which another district
elder presides, then such district eldir shall preside
at the trial.
If 20 1. Any local preacher or ev&ngelist feeling
aggrieved at the decision of his case, ulvall be allowed
an appeal to the ensuing session of thv> annual con
ference.
VIII. The Trial of An Accused Member
1. GROUND OF COMPLAINT — DISC?PL"HNARY LABOR
If 202. The neglect of duties required frj* the word
of God, or indulgence of sinful temper*!, words or
actions, shall subject the person so offendiiif? to pri
vate reproof by the official members of tfb.« church
having the oversight of the offender; and, ,ii» case <f
persistence after proper admonition and Inhor, t1 >
trial and censure, being placed on pJobaiioD, or er •
pjilsion, as the committee may determine, ivovide'i
that no charge of the character referred to tn tJ/-i
paragraph, including the charge of falsehood, sbaU
be entertained until the party complained of \ia\\ bee-i
labored with as required by paragraph 180.
2. NOTIFICATION OF TIME AND PLACE OF TMAL
If 203. Any member against whom a charge is
brought shall be furnished by the persons bringing
the charge, or by the presiding officer of the tribuiuu
ELECTION OF COMMITTEE 123
to which he is judicially responsible, with a copy of
the charges against him, at least fourteen days before
the trial, unless the party against whom charges are
brought shall demand an earlier trial. He shall also
be notified of the place of the election of the commit
tee to try the case at least ten days prior to its elec
tion.
3. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE TO TRY A CASE
If 204. When charges are preferred against a
member, the preacher who is to preside at the trial
shall call a meeting of the society, which shall select
a committee of not less than three, nor more than
nine, who shall be members of the church, within
the bounds of the annual conference, to try the case.
Xo preacher belonging to an annual conference, either
on trial or in full membership, shall be eligible to
act on this committee.
If 205. If the society shall refuse to appoint such
committee, the quarterly conference of the district
of which the society forms a part shall appoint a
committee to try the case, and if after conviction the
member tried appeals to the quarterly conference, no
member of said committee shall be eligible to sit as
a juror in the trial of the case.
4. PRESIDING OFFICER
1f 206. The preacher in charge, when in full mem
bership in the conference, shall preside at the trial
of members; but the district elder shall, for sufficient
reasons, appoint some other traveling preacher in full
membership to preside at any particular trial. The dis
trict elder shall not preside at such trial.
5. RIGHT OF APPEAL
If 207. Any member who has been tried and con
victed by a committee, shall be entitled to an appeal
124 CHURCH TRIALS
to the next quarterly conference, provided he did not
voluntarily absent himself from the trial, and provided
he gave notice of his intention to appeal at the time
of his condemnation, or within thirty days after hav
ing been notified thereof.
G. RESTORATION OF MEMBERSHIP
1f 208. In case a member who has been expelled
from the church shall afterward be proven innocent
of the charge upon which he was expelled, he may
be restored to full membership in the church by vote
of the society from which he was expelled.
CHAPTER II
INSOLVENCIES AND THE SETTLEMENT OF
DISPUTES
f 209. In case of disputes between two or more
members of the church, concerning the payment of
debts, or other matters not involving personal char
acter, which cannot be settled by the parties con
cerned, che preacher who has charge of the circuit
shall inquire into the circumstances of the case; and
shall recommend to the contending parties a reference,
consisting of one arbiter chosen by the plaintiff,
and another chosen by the .defendant, which two ar
biters so chosen shall nominate a third; the three
arbiters being members of the church.
f 210. But if one of these parties be dissatisfied
with the judgment given, such parties may apply to
the ensuing quarterly conference for allowance to
have a second arbitration appointed; and if the quar
terly conference see sufficient reason, they shall grant
a second arbitration, in which case each party shall
choose two arbiters, and the four arbiters shall choose
a fifth, the judgment of the majority of whom shall
be final; and any person refusing to abide by such
judgment shall be excluded from the church.
f 211. If any member of the church shall refuse,
in case of debt or other disputes, to refer the mat
ter to arbitration, when recommended by him who has
charge of the circuit, or shall enter into a lawsuit
with another before such measures are taken, he
shall be expelled by a regular trial according to Dis-
125
126 INSOLVENCIES AND DISPUTES
cipline, unless the case be of such a nature as to re
quire or justify a process of law.
If 2 1 2. Whenever a complaint is made against any
member of the church for non-payment of debt, when
the accounts are adjusted, and the amount is ascer
tained, the preacher in charge of the circuit shall call
the debtor before a committee of at least three, to
show the cause why he does not make payment. The
committee shall determine what further time shall be
granted him for payment; and in case the debtor re
fuses to comply, he shall be expelled; but in such
case he may appeal to the quarterly conference, and
its decision shall be final; and in case the creditor
complains that justice is not done him, he may lay
his grievance before the quarterly conference and its
decision shall be final; and if the creditor refuses to
comply he shall be expelled. In case the debtor re
fuses or neglects to comply with the findings of the
committee or of the quarterly conference, the creditor
may have recourse to the civil courts without affect
ing his membership in the church.
1| 2 1 3. To prevent scandal, when any member of
the church shall fail in business, or contract debts
which he is not able to pay, two or three judicious
members of the church shall inspect the accounts,
contracts and circumstances of the case of the sup
posed delinquent; and if he has behaved dishonestly,
or borrowed money without a probability of paying,
he shall be expelled. The official body to which the
offending member is amenable shall appoint the com
mittee of inspection.
PART VII
TEMPORAL ECONOMY
CHAPTERS
I. SUPPORT OF EFFECTIVE MINISTERS
II. SUPPORT OF SUPERANNUATED
PREACHERS AND OTHER CLAIMANTS
III. CHURCH PROPERTY
CHAPTER I
SUPPORT OF EFFECTIVE MINISTERS
I. Support of Bishops
If 2 1 4. The salaries of our bishops shall be raised
by conference collections; and the executive commit
tee shall make the apportionment to the respective
conferences and so arrange the time for taking the
collections for the same among said conferences that
some shall be taken in each quarter of the year.
II. Support of District Elders
H 2 1 5. The district elder shall be supported by the
circuit to which he is appointed, unless he devotes all
his time in labors as an evangelist, as provided for in
paragraph 100 (IS), in which case he shall receive
his support from the district, each circuit contributing
its proportion, as agreed upon in the quarterly con
ference.
III. Support of Preachers in Charge
If 2 1 6. 1. It shall be the duty of a committee ap
pointed by the official board, who shall be members of
the church, to make, after consulting with the preacher
in charge, an estimate of the amount necessary for
the support of the preacher or preachers stationed
with them; which estimate shall be subject to the
action of the official board.
2. The stewards shall provide by such means as
120
130 SUPPORT OF MINISTERS
they may devise to meet such expenses, in money,
or otherwise.
3. Every class leader shall, at the commencement
of the year, ascertain how much each person in his
class is able and willing to pay, per week, for the
support of the preachers, and note the same in his
class-book, and diligently see to it that the collections
are made weekly, duly credited, and paid over to the
steward for the benefit of the preachers.
4. If any deficiency shall arise in the preacher's
salary, the stewards shall circulate among our friends
a subscription to assist in such deficiency.
5. The adoption of the budget system for raising
finances is recommended to all the societies of the
church. The membership is requested to cooperate
heartily with this plan, giving not less than one-tenth
of the net annual income for the Lord's work.
IV. Support of Evangelists
If 2 1 7. Evangelists shall depend upon the fields in
which they labor for their support, except in case
of general evangelists, who may receive appropria
tions from the general missionary board, on recom
mendations from the bishops.
CHAPTER II
SUPPORT OF SUPERANNUATED PREACHERS
AND OTHER CLAIMANTS
T2I8. 1. The executive committee shall consti
tute the board of conference claimants.
2. This board shall make a report of all its doings
to the general conference.
| 2 19. The "funds of this board shall be known as
the conference claimants' fund, and shall consist of
the proceeds accruing from the endowment fund and
collections taken by the annual conferences for said
claimants' fund, and fifteen per cent annually of the
net profits of the business of the Publishing House.
1f 220. It shall be the duty of every preacher in
charge of a circuit to raise annually an amount equal
to five cents per member in full relation, which
money, together with gifts, bequests and legacies
which may be received for this purpose, shall consti
tute a perpetual endowment fund, which shall be in
vested by the board, the proceeds therefrom to be ap
propriated to the conference claimants' fund.
| 22 1. 1. The claimants upon this fund shall be
superannuated preachers, superannuated missionaries
to foreign lands, and the widows and children of de
ceased preachers and missionaries to foreign lands;
and no claimant shall receive annually from said fund
an amount greater than the regular disciplinary al
lowance.
2. In the case of superannuated missionaries who
131
132 SUPERANNUATED PREACHERS
have served in foreign lands the amount allowed shall
be fixed by the missionary board.
1f 222. 1. The allowance for superannuated preach
ers shall be seven and one-half dollars a year for
the first ten years of effective service after having
been received into the conference in full membership,
and twelve and one-half dollars a year for the next
ten years, making two hundred dollars the full claim
— provided the preacher is without so much of world
ly goods as shall be necessary for his support. By
"effective service" shall be understood the time actual
ly employed by a preacher as directed by his confer
ence.
2. The bishops shall make an effort at each an
nual conference to increase the superannuated fund.
The increase from $150 to $200 shall take effect when
ever the conference claimants' board finds that suffi
cient funds are on hand for the purpose.
3. The allowance granted shall be paid semi-an-
nually if the treasury will warrant.
1f 223. The above provision shall apply to the
widows of traveling and superannuated preachers, so
long as they shall remain members of the Free Meth
odist church, and if the superannuated preacher dip.
then his full claim shall be paid to his widow at the
ensuing annual conference. If a minister should mar
ry after being superannuated, no claim shall be al
lowed his widow or children, the issue of such mar
riage.
If 224. The board of conference claimants shall
be provided with blanks furnished by the Publishing
House on which the applicant for a claim on the
superannuate fund shall state in full to the committee
on conference claimants and claims the circuits or
charges in any of the annual conferences on which he
has labored since becoming a member of the confer
ence, and shall also make a certified statement of all
SUPERANNUATED PREACHERS 133
his worldly resources and of his actual yearly income,
and also a statement of his bodily disabilities.
| 225. On the death of a preacher, leaving a child
or children without so much of worldly goods as shall
be necessary to his, her or their support, the annual
conference of which he was a member shall estimate,
according to the provision of this chapter, a yearly
sum for the subsistence of such orphan child or chil
dren, until he, she or they shall have arrived at four
teen years of age, the amount of which yearly sum
.shall be fixed by a committee of the conference at each
session in advance. This sum shall in no case exceed
thirty-six dollars for each child.
H 226. Each annual conference may, at its dis
cretion, order collections for necessitous cases
amongst its claimants or other laborers, and the
money so collected shall be divided by the annual con
ference as in the exercise of its discretion the neces
sities of each case may demand.
f 227. Each annual conference is earnestly recom
mended to provide houses, so far as practicable, for
the use of the superannuated preachers or the widows
of preachers. If any of our people who have property
will do so, let it be deeded to the trustees of the Free
Methodist church for the use of superannuated
preachers.
If 228. It shall be the duty of the board to esti
mate the amount necessary to be raised for the claim
ants in addition to the endowment fund, and apportion
the same pro rata upon the entire membership of
the church, which apportionment, together with five
cents per member for the endowment fund, shall be
raised by conference collections not later than the
second quarter of the conference year.
f 229. We recommend that each annual conference
employing men or women, or both, as supplies on cir
cuits make suitable provision for their preservation
134 SUPERANNUATED PREACHERS
from financial embarrassment when worn out or
broken down in the work.
H230. It shall be the duty of the board to make
a division of its funds based upon the number of
claimants, and not to exceed their regular disciplinary
allowance, and to forward the amount for each annual
conference to the bishop presiding at such annual
conference, which body shall divide it according to the
appropriation of said conference.
1231. Any annual conference deficient in its col
lection shall have the amount of its deficiency deducted
from the amount of its appropriation by the board.
CHAPTEK III
CHURCH PROPERTY
(. Trustees — Appointment and Duties
" 232. The board of trustees for church property
shell consist of not less than three nor more than
nine persons, at least two-thirds of whom shall be
members of the Free Methodist church.
If 233. In all cases where the law of states or ter
ritories requires a specified mode of election, that
mode shall be observed; otherwise such trustees shall
be elected at the society meeting, except where a
society is not incorporated, and is embraced within
a circuit and has become extinct, in which case
trustees for such property shall be elected by the an
nual circuit meeting. All trustees shall hold their
office until their successors shall be elected.
If 234. Boards of trustees shall report all business
transacted to the annual circuit meeting, and to the
society whenever requested to do so by the preacher
in charge, the official board or by the society. They
shall also make an annual statement of the financial
condition of the property in their care.
1 235. If a member of our church holding the office
of trustee withdraws from the church, is dismissed
by letter or expelled, or removes beyond the bounds
of the circuit for which he was elected, the society
may declare his place in the board vacant, except in
states or territories where the law will not allow this
to be done.
135
136 CHURCH PROPERTY
If 236. No other denomination shall be permitted to
hold stated appointments in any of our churches with
out the consent of both the preacher in charge and
a majority of the trustees.
II. Incorporation and Deeds
If 237. Before any real estate is purchased for
either church or parsonage property let the society
consult some reliable lawyer, provide him with a copy
of our Discipline for reference, and wherever the law
of the state or territory will permit, proceed legally
to incorporate the society. Let the articles of in
corporation, where the laws will permit, provide that
the society shall be subject to the provisions of the
Discipline of the Free Methodist Church of North
America, and that the secular affairs of the corpora
tion shall be managed and controlled by trustees
elected according to the provisions of said Discipline.
When such incorporation is completed, let the deed be
made out directly to the society in its corporate name,
and not to individual trustees; and in all cases it shall
contain the trust clause included in the next para
graph.
- 1f 238. In states where the law requires church
property to be held by trustees, and in states where
incorporation can not be secured as provided for in
the preceding paragraph, let all deeds be made to
trustees, naming them and their successors in office,
and containing the following trust clause: "In trust
for the use and benefit of the membership of the Free
Methodist Church of North America, incorporated
under the name of 'Free Methodist General Confer
ence of North America,' subject to the Discipline,
usages and ministerial appointments of said church,
as from time to time authorized and declared; and, if
sold, the proceeds shall be disposed of and used in
accordance with the provisions of said Discipline, and
CHURCH PROPERTY 137
of the civil law; and in further trust and confidence
that in the houses of worship now erected or that may
hereafter be erected on said premises hereby conveyed,
the seats shall be forever free; and in further trust
and confidence that the said trustees and their suc
cessors in office shall permit at all times the preach
ers who may be duly authorized according to the Dis
cipline of the said Free Methodist church, to hold re
ligious services in said houses of worship according to
said Discipline."
f 239. No deed shall be accepted which contains
a clause by which the land conveyed may revert to the
original grantor, his heirs or assigns.
If 240. All deeds should be immediately recorded,
and in all their parts should be made to conform to
the laws, usages and forms of the state or territory
in which the property may be situated.
1241. In no case shall the church or parsonage
property be sold, mortgaged or encumbered for cur
rent expenses.
If 242. Whenever it may become necessary or ad
visable to dispose of any church property, the trustees
may sell and convey the same by first securing the
authority of the sooiety for such sale, the approval of
the district elder and the consent of the general con
ference, or in the intervals of its sessions, of two-
thirds of the members of the executive committee;
provided that in all cases the proceeds of such sale
shall be used either for the purchase or improvement
of property for the same uses and deeded to the same
corporation or trustees; or if not so used, shall be
held subject to the order of the annual conference in
whose territory such property may be situated.
1 243. Whenever any church property is no longer
used for church purposes, and is declared abandoned
by the annual conference, it shall be the duty of the
trustees, if any remain, to sell such property and turn
138 CHURCH PROPERTY
over the proceeds of such sale to the annual confer
ence. If no such trustees remain, it shall be the duty
of the trustees of the annual conference to take pos
session of such property by any means lawful in the
state or territory in which the property may be situ
ated. The annual conference may sell and convey such
property, the proceeds of such sale to be used as said
conference may direct, provided that such transaction
shall not be contrary to the civil law.
III. Erection of Churches
If 244. 1. All our houses of worship must be built
plain and neat, without steeples, and no more expen
sive than is absolutely required for comfort, con
venience and stability, and with all seats free.
2. Xo step shall be taken involving pecuniary
liability in erecting houses of worship, or parsonages,
or in purchasing church property of any kind, until
two-thirds of the amount necessary to meet the esti
mated cost be secured in good, reliable subscriptions.
3. No houses of worship, parsonages or other
church buildings shall be erected on leased ground,
except on reservations or other places where it is im
possible to secure a deed in fee, or without the unani
mous consent of the conference board of church ex
tension and aid society of the annual conference in
whose territory the property is situated.
4. The executive committee is authorized to collect
data touching the questions of heating, lighting, ven
tilating and comfortable seating for churches, also to
secure cuts, drawings and working plans of church
buildings which conform to Free Methodist standards,
and to make such information and plans available for
societies desiring to build; and all societies intending
to build are urgently requested to secure such informa
tion from the executive committee and to make such
use of it as local conditions will permit.
PART VIII
EDUCATIONAL AND
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS
CHAPTERS
I. EDUCATION
II. SUNDAY-SCHOOLS
III. MISSIONARY WORK
IV. CHURCH EXTENSION
V. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
VI. THE PUBLISHING HOUSE
CHAPTER I
EDUCATION
I. The Board of Education
U 245. 1. In order to promote the educational
work of the church there shall be a board known as
the Board of Education of the Free Methodist Church
of North America.
2. This board shall be composed of the members
of the executive committee and the editor of tho
Free Methodist.
3. The board shall be incorporated under the laws
of the state of Illinois, with its headquarters at the
Publishing House in Chicago.
4. The said board shall manage its own affairs,
subject to the provisions of its charter and the rules
and regulations of the general conference.
If 246. 1. The board of education shall receive, in
vest and disburse all moneys which shall be con
tributed, collected or otherwise committed to it for
general educational purposes. It shall administer the
children's fund and all other funds to assist properly
accredited young men and young women, who are
members of the Free Methodist church and feel called
of God to ministerial or missionary work and are en
rolled as students in some of the schools, recognized
by the board of education as Free Methodist schools,
to procure such educational training as preparation
for their work requires: provided, that no part of the
children's fund shall be appropriated to any student
141
142 EDUCATION
except such as shall have been a regular scholar in
some Free Methodist Sunday-school for a period of
six months or more, and also provided, that none of
the educational funds shall be appropriated to any
student except such as pursues his studies in some
one of the institutions recognized as Free Methodist
schools. The aid shall be granted only in the form
of loans, but the board may cancel such loans, in
part or in whole, for protracted illness, or for five
years of actual missionary service.
2. All educational money other than the chil
dren's fund shall be reported under the head of "gen
eral educational fund."
3. This board shall recognize as auxiliaries such
educational societies as may at any time be created
by an annual conference, provided such societies
prosecute their work in harmony with the principles
and methods of the board of education.
4. This board shall appoint a standing committee,
from its own body, to investigate the financial and
educational standards of our institutions, and report
at least every two years to the board regarding the
same.
5. The said board shall publish an annual report
of all the business transacted, including moneys or
other property received, funds invested* and funds
disbursed. Their report shall also include a classified
list of all the educational institutions under the
patronage of the Free Methodist church.
II. Educational Institutions
1 247. 1. The board of education shall recognize
as under the auspices of the Free Methodist church,
and therefore entitled to be mentioned in its classi
fied list of educational institutions and to receive aid
from its connectional funds, all those schools of the
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS 143
church which are now known to have the approval of
the conferences in which they are respectively located
and of such other conferences as may be associated
in their management; and also all such schools as
shall hereafter be established in accordance with the
foregoing conditions and with the approval of the ma
jority of the members of the board of education ex
pressed by a vote in one of its regular meetings.
2. No educational institution shall be recognized
| by the board as provided for in the foregoing part of
this section unless it is established and operated in
accord with the conditions hereinbefore mentioned.
3. In case any institution be hereafter established
contrary to the provisions of the foregoing part of
this section, the board of education, on formal com
plaint made to it by any annual conference interested,
shall fix a time and place for hearing the authorities
of the said institution, and other institutions affected
thereby, and shall advise such adjustment of the rela
tions between them as shall seem wise and proper
under the circumstances.
4. The schools now recognized as under the aus
pices of the Free Methodist church are divided into
three classes — colleges, junior colleges, and semina
ries. The list is as follows:
Greenville College.
The A. M. Chesbrough Seminary.
Spring Arbor Seminary.
Evansville Seminary and Junior College.
Wessington Springs Seminary.
Seattle-Pacific College.
The Central Academy and College.
Los Angeles Free Methodist Seminary.
The Campbell Seminary.
III. Duties of Pastors
U 248. 1. It shall be the duty of every pastor to
144 EDUCATION
preach on Christian education and to take a public
collection once a year, in every congregation over
which he presides, for general educational purposes.
The money so collected shall be paid over to the
treasurer of the annual conference auxiliary to the
board of education, if such an auxiliary exists; but
where there is no such auxiliary, the money shall be
forwarded to the treasurer of his annual conference
and his receipt taken therefor and brought to the
next session of the annual conference. The first Sun
day in August is recommended as the time for taking
such collections.
2. It shall also be the duty of every pastor to ar
range for every Sunday-school under his charge to
observe the first Sunday in June, or, if that date is
impracticable, the most convenient Sabbath in the
month of June, as children's day, in which one of
the regular services shall be a religious service for
the children.* As a part of the service a collection
shall be taken for the Sunday-school children's fund.
He shall forward the amount so collected directly to
the treasurer of his conference, taking his receipt
therefor and reporting the same to his annual con
ference under the head of "children's fund."
* It shall not be permissible, however, in connection
with the "Children's Day" service to introduce anything
of a character disapproved by paragraph 252 (6) of the
Discipline.
CHAPTER II
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS
I. General Sunday-school Board
K 249. 1. A board, composed of seven members,
called the Sunday-school Board of the Free Meth
odist Church of North America, shall be appointed by
the general conference.
2. This board shall meet at least once each year.
It shall promote, and have general charge of, the Sun
day-school work • of the church. It shall cooperate
with the conference Sunday-school secretaries, giving
them directions and advice.
3. This board shall supervise the teacher training
work of the church, arranging its courses, deciding
upon the necessary text-books, providing for examina
tions and granting diplomas to those who complete
courses of study.
4. The expenses of the board, and any incidental
expense which the board may make in carrying on
nnd promoting the Sunday-school work of the church
which is not paid by direct offerings from the Sunday-
schools, shall be charged to and paid by the Sunday-
school department.
5. The members of the Sunday-school Board
elected at the general conference of 1915 are as fol
lows: W. B. Olmstead, J. B. Lutz, J. H. Whiteman,
E. A. Holtwick, Jacob Moyer, G. W. Griffith, L. G.
Lewis. The board organized by electing Jacob
Moyer, president; J. B. Lutz, recording secretary;
145
146 SUNDAY-SCHOOLS
W. B. Olmstea^l. general secretary, and the treasurer
of the church funds, treasurer.
I'. Conference Sunday-school Secretaries
f 250. Each conference shall elect annually a con
ference Sunday-school secretary, or secretaries. Il
shall be the duty of the conference Sunday-school
secretary,
1. To promote the Sunday-school work in the
territory under his jurisdiction.
2. To see that a Sunday-school is organized and
maintained in each society in his conference, and to
establish mission Sunday-schools.
3. To see that a Sunday-school convention is
held on each district during the year and to assist
in such conventions, if possible.
4. To hold or arrange for the holding of an insti
tute on .each circuit, and if possible at each society
some time during the year.
5. As often as possible to arrange for the hold
ing of a special service for the promotion of Sunday-
school interests at our general gatherings, such as
district meetings, camp meetings and conferences.
6. To cooperate with the general 'Sunday-school
board, carrying out its suggestions and making annual
reports to the board.
7. To extend the circulation of our Sunday-school
literature.
8. To present a report to the annual conference.
III. Duties of Pastors
| 25 1. For the moral and religious instruction of
the children it shall be the special duty of preachers
having charge of circuits, with the aid of the other
preachers:
1. To form Sunday-schools in all our congregations
where ten children can be collected for that purpose,
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS 147
and to engage the cooperation of as many of our
members as they can; to visit the schools as often as
practicable; to preach on the subject of Sunday-
schools and religious instruction in each congregation
at least once during the year; to form Bible classes
wherever they can for the instruction of the larger
children and youth and where they cannot superintend
them personally, to see that suitable teachers are pro
vided for that purpose; to establish and maintain
mission Sunday-schools wherever there is an opening,
and in such schools members of the church shall be
employed as officers and teachers so far as practicable.
2. To enforce faithfully upon parents and Sunday-
school teachers the great importance of instructing
children in the doctrines and duties of our holy re
ligion; to preach to the children, and publicly catechise
them in the Sunday-schools, and at special meetings
appointed for that purpose.
3. To pay special attention to the children, speak
ing to them personally and kindly upon the subject
of experimental and practical godliness, according to
their capacity, pray earnestly for them, and diligently
instruct and exhort all parents to dedicate their chil
dren to the Lord, in baptism, as early as convenient.
4. He shall lay before each session of the quarterly
conference, to be entered on Its journal, the number
and state of the Sunday-schools and Bible classes in
his charge, and the extent to which he. has preached
to the children and catechised them, and make the
required report on Sunday-schools to his annual con
ference. In reporting to the quarterly and annual
conferences the total membership of the Sunday-
schools, he shall include, under separate heads, the
home and cradle roll departments.
5. He shall arrange for the Sunday-schools under
his charge to observe children's day in June.*
* See paragraph 248 (2).
148 SUNDAY-SCHOOLS
IV. Local Sunday-school Board
If 252. 1. A Sunday-school board meeting shall be
held in each society once a month whenever prac
ticable, composed of the pastors, officers, teachers,
and department superintendents of the Sunday-school.
2. The officers of this Sunday-school board shall
be a president, vice-president, a secretary and a treas
urer, who shall be elected at the beginning of each
conference year.
3. It shall be the duty of the Sunday-school board
to elect one or more assistant superintendents, who
also shall be elected at the beginning of each confer
ence year. The teachers shall be elected by the Sun
day-school board. The superintendent may nominate.
4. In the organization of new schools, the preacher
or preachers in charge and the superintendent shall
appoint the teachers, and these with the preacher or
preachers in charge and the superintendent shall con
stitute the Sunday-school board at its "beginning.
5. It shall be the duty of this board to decide upon
the Sunday-school literature and to attend to all other
business connected with the Sunday-school not other
wise provided for in the Discipline.
6. It shall be the duty of the board to provide for
a proper Christmas service, but in no case shall
Christmas trees be allowed. This board may also
provide for proper outings for the Sunday-school, with
the distinct understanding that nothing shall be per
mitted out of harmony with the spirit and principles
of the Free Methodist Discipline.
7. At its regular meetings the board shall observe
the following:
ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Devotional exercises.
-2. Calling of the roll.
3. Reading the minutes of the previous meeting.
SUNDAY-SCHOOLS 14SJ
4. Election of officers for the year — a president,
vice-president, secretary and treasurer. (This ap
plies to the first meeting of the conference year only.)
5. Report of superintendent.
6. Report of department superintendents.
7. Quarterly report of the secretary of the Sunday-
school.
8. Report of the treasurer.
9. Reports of teachers upon the condition of their
respective classes.
10. Are the classes properly organized?
11. Election of teachers. (This applies to the first
meeting of the conference year only.)
12. Election of teachers to fill vacancies.
13. Consideration of the Sunday-school literature.
rl.4. Reports of committees.
15. Appointment of committees.
10. Unfinished business.
17. New business.
IS. Reading of the minutes.
19. Adjournment.
V. Sunday-school Superintendent
*{ 253. The superintendent of the Sunday-school
shall be elected by ballot at a society meeting. The
preacher in charge may nominate. See paragraphs
128 (1), 130 (3) and 132 (3).
VI. Offering for Sunday-school Work
1j 254. It shall be the duty of each Sunday-school
to take an annual offering, the same to be forwarded
to the treasurer of the General Sunday-school Board,
to be used in carrying ofl the general Sunday-school
tfork.
CHAPTER III
MISSIONARY WORK
GENERAL MISSIONARY BOARD
I. Name and Objects
If 255. The name of this board is the General
Missionary Board of the Free Methodist Church of
North America. The objects for which this corpora
tion is formed are:
1. To collect, receive, hold, expend, pay out or
dispose of any property, real or personal, or of what
ever nature and wherever situate as allowed by law,
that may he given, obtained or held in aid of the gen
eral missionary work of the Free Methodist church.
2. To acquire by purchase, gifts or devise, real
estate or personal property in the United States of
North America, or in foreign lands, and to hold or
sell or convey the same as in its judgment may be
necessary in the prosecution of its missionary work.
II. Membership — Officers — Duties
f 256. 1. The general missionary board shall be
composed of the bishops, the president of the
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and three other
members of said society elected by the general so
ciety at its quadrennial meeting; one traveling elder
and one layman from each of the general conference
districts, and a secretary to be elected by ballot by
150
GENERAL MISSIONARY BOARD 151
the general conference. The president of the mis
sionary board shall be elected from their own number.
The treasurer shall be elected by the board and may
be chosen from outside of its members. This board
shall continue in office until the close of the next ses
sion of the general conference and until others shall
be elected in their places. It shall have an annual
meeting, a personal notice of which, signed by the
president and secretary, shall be sent to each member
of the board three weeks previous to the meeting and
shall appear in two issues of the Free Methodist.
2. If from any cause a member of this board shall
cease to be a member of the Free Methodist church,
or shall remove from the bounds of the district that
he represents, his place upon the board shall be de
clared vacant. Vacancies shall be filled by the board
from the districts where the vacancy occurs, excepting
the office of the secretary, which vacancy shall be
filled by the executive committee.
3. It shall be the duty of this board to act as an
advisory committee to its directors.
f 257. It shall be the duty of the board to take
charge of all moneys raised for general and foreign
missionary work, and appropriate the same to the
extension and support of the general and foreign
mission work, provided they shall appropriate all
moneys to the purpose for which they were con
tributed.
f 258. Titles to land purchased for missions in
foreign lands shall be in the name of the General Mis
sionary Board of the Free Methodist Church of North
America, and deeded to trustees elected by the gen
eral missionary board, the tenure of whose office shall
be subject to said board.
f 259. 1. The missionary board shall publish in the
official organ of the church quarterly reports of all
receipts, and make full reports to each annual con-
15'2 MISSIONARY WORK
ference, of receipts for the preceding year; and to
the general conference at its regular sessions of all
moneys received and disbursed by it, and of the
results of such appropriations so far as can be ascer
tained.
2. The president of the board shall, with the
consent of a majority of its members, make a general
call from time to time, for special collections, to pro
vide funds for any contingency that may arise in the
mission field.
III. General Conference Missionary Districts
U 260. The various annual conferences shall be
grouped in six general conference missionary districts,
as follows: District No. 1 — Genesee, Susquehanna,
Oil City. No. 2 — New York, Pittsburgh, Georgia and
Florida, Ohio, East Ontario, West Ontario. No. 3 — •
East Michigan, North Michigan, Michigan. No. 4 —
Wabash, Central Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee,
Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas and Southern Missouri,
Texas, East Texas, Louisiana, West Kansas. No.
5 — Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, North Min
nesota, Minnesota and Northern Iowa, Iowa, West
Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Platte River, Nebraska. No.
6 — Columbia River, Washington, Oregon, Southern
Oregon, California, Southern California, Colorado, Al
berta, Saskatchewan.
IV. Members of the General Missionary Board
1[26 1. Members of the general missionary board
elected at the general conference of 1915 are as fol
lows: Bishops — Burton R. Jones, Walter A. Sellew,
Wilson T. Hogue, William Pearce. General secre
tary — John S. MacGeary. Representing District No.
1 — Herbert L. Crockett, Grant C. Woods. No. 2 — Wil
DIRECTORS OF MISSIONARY BOARD 153
Ham B. Olmstead, Alma L. Miller. No. 3 — S. H. Por-
terfield, Peter White. No. 4— John A. Watson, Jacob
Moyer. No. 5 — G. W. Griffith, Thomas B. Arnold.
No. 6— Wilbur N. Coffee, E. A. Holtwiok. The
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society — Mary L. Cole-
man, president, Adelaide L. Beers, Emma Freeland
Shay, Emma L. Hogue.
V. Directors of the General Missionary Board
1| 262. 1. At the first meeting of the general mis
sionary board subsequent to each session of the gen
eral conference, said board shall elect by ballot from
its members seven persons, one at least of whom shall
be a member of the Woman's Foreign Missionary So
ciety elected to the missionary board, who shall con
stitute a board of directors.
2. The following named persons were duly elected
as directors of the general missionary board at the
annual meeting of the said board held in Chicago,
Illinois, in June, 1015: Walter A. Sellew, Wilson T.
Hogue, William Pearce, John S. MacGeary, William
B. Olmstead, Thomas B. Arnold, Mary L. Coleman.
The board of directors shall be elected annually.
3. Ir shall be the duty of the directors of the
board to take charge of all moneys raised for general
and foreign missionary work, and appropriate the
same to the extension and support of the general and
foreign missionary work, provided they shall appro
priate all the moneys to the purpose for which they
were contributed.
4. The directors of the board shall accept and ap
point missionaries to their respective fields, order
the expenditure of funds upon each field, make appro
priations from the contingent fund to meet exigencies
as they may arise from time to time, and perform all
the duties of the board and such other work as is con
templated in the articles of incorporation.
154 MISSIONARY WORK
VI. Secretary
If 263. The secretary of the general missionary
board shall keep the records of the board, receive and
answer all correspondence relating to the missionary
work of the church, and pay over to the treasurer
of the board all moneys received by him, taking his
receipt for the same. He shall also have charge of
the missionary interests of the church, subject to the
orders and under direction of the directors of the
board, excepting in some sudden emergency, when he
may be at liberty to act without waiting for orders
from the directors, provided that such action taken
shall be subject to the approval or disapproval of the
board of directors. He may with the consent of the
president of the board of directors and a majority of
the directors make general calls from time to time for
special collections, or for donations for some particu
lar purpose, in order to provide for contingencies that
may arise on the mission fields. He shall make yearly,
or whenever requested by the board of directors of
the board, a full and detailed report to the board of
all business pertaining to both the missionaries and
the mission stations.
VII. Treasurer
H 264. The treasurer shall receive all moneys ac
cruing to foreign and general missions by collections,
donations, bequests, or otherwise, giving receipts for
the same, and shall pay over, upon order of the secre
tary, Avhatever sums have been appropriated by the
directors of the board. He shall deposit all funds in
some national bank or trust company, selected by the
board, in the name of the General Missionary Board
of the Free Methodist Church of North America, to
be drawn only upon the order of the secretary and
treasurer.
CONFERENCE MISSIONARY FUNDS 155
VIII. Duties of Preachers in Charge
1f 265. 1. It shall be the duty of each preacher in
charge of a circuit to hold one or more missionary
meetings on his circuit during the year, and take a
collection and circulate a subscription for the support
of foreign missions.
2. It shall also be his duty to raise for general
missions, by public collections or otherwise, a sum
not less than fifteen cents per annum, for each mem
ber in full relation, to be forwarded to the treas
urer of the general missionary board.
IX. Annual Conference Missionary Funds
1f 266. Each annual conference may, from time to
time, by vote, appropriate of its mission funds such
sums to the general missionary board as in its judg
ment may be deemed proper. Each annual conference
may, by such means as it shall judge best, raise funds
for the support of missions within its bounds.
CHAPTEK IV
CHURCH EXTENSION
I. The General Church Extension Society
If 267. 1. The missionary board shall constitute
The Church Extension Society of the Free Methodist
Church of North America.*
2, The object of this society shall be to aid needy
churches or societies by donations or loans for the
erection of churches.
3. This society shall publish in the official paper
of the church an annual report of its work, and also
submit a full report quadrennially to the general con
ference.
II. Conference Church Extension and Aid Society
If 268. 1. Each annual conference shall appoint a
society of five members which shall constitute a con
ference church extension and aid society, the officers
of which shall be a president, secretary and treas
urer.
2. The conference church extension and aid so
ciety shall be auxiliary to the general society, and
shall, under its direction, have charge of all the work
of the church extension and aid society within its
bounds.
3. The treasurer of the conference society shall,
* The corporate name of this board.
156
CHURCH EXTENSION 157
at least once in three months, remit all funds in his
hands to the treasurer of the general society.
4. It shall be the duty of the conference society
to arrange for a collection to be taken at each ap
pointment on every circuit for church extension, to bo
forwarded to the treasurer of the church extension
society. An amount equal to at least ten cents per
member is to be raised for this fund.
5. The conference society shall make a full report
of its work to the conference at its annual session.
6. All applications for aid shall be first submit
ted to the conference society, and said society shall
certify its action thereon to the general society; and
aid shall be granted only by the concurrent action of
the general society and the conference society.
7. All such applications for aid shall be in ac
cordance with blank forms furnished by the general
society, and shall set forth:
(1) The number of members of the Free Methodist
society, and the size of the congregation.
(2) The fact that the board of trustees is legally
incorporated.
(3) The size and valuation of the site, the validity
of the title, and whether deeded to the Free Methodist
church.
(4) A description of the building for which aid
is asked.
(5) The estimated cost.
(6) The amount of available and reliable means
secured.
(7) Any other information that the general so
ciety may require.
CHAPTER V
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
Board of Charities and Benevolences
If 269. For the encouragement and regulation of
works of charity and benevolence within the Free
Methodist church, there shall he a board known as
The Board of Charities and Benevolences of the Free
Methodist Church of North America.
1. This board shall be composed of the members
of the general missionary board, and the superin
tendents of the Gerry Homes and of the Woodstock
Homes.
2. It shall be the duty of the board of charities
and benevolences to inspect the charitable and be
nevolent institutions .operating in and soliciting finan
cial support from the Free Methodist church to de
termine their financial standing, their plan of opera
tion, and the character and amount of work done, and
to determine whether the institution inspected shall
receive the indorsement of the church as an accredited
institution.
3. The board of charities and benevolences shall
have power to regulate the establishment of charitable
and benevolent institutions, not for the purpose of
restricting works of charity and benevolence in the
church, but to so limit the multiplication of charitable
or benevolent institutions as to avoid their becoming
so numerous as to jeopardize the perpetuity and suc
cess of those already iu the field.
158
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS 15G
4. No charitable or benevolent institution of the
same character shall be established in the patronizing
territory of any such institution already established
without first obtaining consent of the board of chari
ties and benevolences.
5. All accredited institutions shall report annually
to the board of charities and benevolences as to
their financial condition, the work done, and the gen
eral plan and scope of their work.
G. The accredited institutions of the Free Meth
odist church are: The Gerry Homes, at Gerry, New
York; the Chicago Industrial Home for Children, and
the Old People's Rest Home, both with headquarters
in Chicago, and with farm and buildings at Woodstock,
Illinois.
7. It shall be the duty of each pastor to preach
a sermon at least once a year at each appointment on
his charge where classes are formed, on the subject
of practical charity, and take a collection for the poor;
the proceeds of this collection to be used for the re
lief of the poor on the circuit where the collection
is taken if there be any needing such help — if not, it
shall then be sent to some accredited institution in
whose patronizing territory the collection is taken.
8. Each annual conference shall at" its annual
session appoint among its regular committees, a com
mittee on charities.
CHAPTEE VI
THE PUBLISHING HOUSE
1 270. 1. The Free Methodist Publishing House
is an institution established by the Free Methodist
General Conference of North America for the pur
pose of producing and circulating wholesome litera
ture. It is duly incorporated under the laws of the
State of Illinois, with its business plant and official
headquarters at 1132-1134 Washington Boulevard,
Chicago, Illinois.
2. The publishing agent shall have authority, under
the supervision of the executive committee, to regu
late the business of the publishing house in such a
manner as in his judgment the interests of the
church require.
3. The publishing agent and editors shall make
annual reports to the executive committee, and shall
also report to the general conference.
4. The executive committee may elect by ballot
an assistant publishing agent. The publishing agent
may nominate.
5. It shall be the duty of the assistant publishing
agent to cooperate with the publishing agent in plan
ning and carrying forward the business of the publish
ing house, and, in the absence of the publishing agent,
to assume the ordinary duties of the publishing agent.
160
PART IX
CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES
CHAPTERS
CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES
CHAPTER I
CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES
1271. 1. Genesee (1860). — The Genesee confer
ence shall embrace that portion of the state of New
York lying west of the Genesee river including
Rochester, Mount Morris, Groveland, Belmont, Scio
and Wellsville.
1272. 2. Illinois (1860). — The Illinois confer
ence shall embrace all that part of the state of Illi
nois north of a line beginning at Fort Madison, Iowa,
running east to the Illinois river, thence down the
river to a point due west of Fowler, Indiana, thence
east to the state line; and thence north to the north
west corner of Benton county, Indiana, thence east
to the second principal meridian line, thence due
north to the south state line of Michigan, thence west
along the state line to Lake Michigan, with the pro
viso that the Three Oaks Circuit in Michigan shall be
administered by the Illinois conference.
1273. 3. Susquehanna (1S62). — The Susquehan-
" na conference shall embrace the counties of Tioga,
Sullivan and Bradford, in the state of Pennsylvania,
all that part of the state of- New York east of the Gen
esee conference, and north of a line beginning at Great
Bend, in Pennsylvania, and running due north to the
Albany and Susquehanna railroad, thence east along
said railroad to Oneonta, and thence due east to the
state of Massachusetts: but not including the villages
situated immediately upon that portion of the said
Albany and Susquehanna railroad. This conference
1C.3
1C4 CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES
shall also include Vermont and the province of Que
bec.
H 274. 4. Michigan (1S65). — The Michigan con
ference shall embrace that portion of the state of
Michigan lying south of the base line, and all the state
of Indiana not included in either the Illinois or
Wahash conferences.
If 275. 5. Kansas (1871). — The Kansas confer
ence shall include all that portion of the state of
Kansas lying east of a line running due north from
the state of Oklahoma, along the west line of McPher-
son county, Kansas, to the southwest corner of Cloud
county, Kansas; thence east to the southeast corner
of the said Cloud county; thence due north to the
Nebraska state line.
1 276. 6. Minnesota and Northern Iowa (1872).
— The Minnesota and Northern Iowa conference shall
embrace that portion of the state of Minnesota south
of a line running due west from Stillwater, Minne
sota, to Lac-qui-parle lake and thence up the north
and east bank of the Minnesota river, to the 46th
parallel of latitude, and thence west across to the
east line of Dakota, except Nobles, Rock, Pipestone.
Murray, Lincoln, Lyon, Yellow Medicine and Lac-qui-
parle counties in Minnesota, and shall include thai
portion of Iowa not included in the Iowa, West Iow«
and South Dakota conferences.
If 277. 7. New York (1873).— The New York con
ference shall embrace all parts of the states of New
York and Pennsylvania not included in the Genesee,
Pittsburgh, Oil City and Susquehanna conferences,
and the states of New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware,
Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecti
cut.
f278. 8. Iowa (1875). — The Iowa conference
shall include that portion of the state of Iowa lying
east and south of the following lines: Beginning at
CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES 165
the southeast corner of Decatur county, thence north
to Hamilton county, thence along the east line of
Hamilton and Wright counties to the northeast corner
of Wright county, thence east to Clayton on the Mis
sissippi river. It shall also include the city of
Des Moines according to its present incorporate limits
(1898).
If 279. 9. Wisconsin (1875). — The Wisconsin con
ference shall include the state of Wisconsin.
If 280. 10. North Michigan (1876).— The North
Michigan conference shall embrace that portion of the
state of Michigan lying north of the base line from
the southeast corner of Eaton cownty, and southwest
corner of Ingham, thence north parallel with the
meridian line to Lake Huron. It shall also include
the Upper Peninsula and Drummond's Island.
11 281. 11. Ohio (1879).— The Ohio conference
shall embrace the state of Ohio, except the towns
included in the Pittsburgh conference.
1f282. 12. Central Illinois (1879).— The Central
Illinois conference shall include that portion of the
state of Illinois not included in the .Illinois and
Wabash conferences. It shall also include the city
of St. Louis, Missouri.
f 283. 13. Texas (1881).— The Texas conference
shall include that part of the state of Texas not in
cluded in the East Texas conference, and that part of
New Mexico lying east of the 106th meridian.
If 284. 14. Missouri (1883). — The Missouri con
ference shall embrace all that portion of the state of
Missouri lying north of a line beginning at Carondolet
and running directly west through the state, via War-
rensburg, to the west line of the state, except the city
of St. Louis.
1f 285. 15. West Kansas (1883).— The West Kan
sas conference shall include all parts of the state of
Kansas not included in the Kansas conference.
166 CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES
U286. 16. South Dakota (1883).— The South Da
kota conference shall embrace the state of South Da
kota except that portion of the state bounded by a
line commencing at the southeast corner of Shannon
county; thence north to the White river; thence east
along to its junction with the Missouri river; thence
along the Missouri river to the south line of the state
of South Dakota; thence wost along state line to
the southeast corner of Shannon county. It shall
also include Lyon, .Osceola, O'Brien and Sioux coun
ties, in the state of Iowa, and Nobles, Rock, Pipe-
stone, Murray, Lincoln, Lyon, Yellow Medicine and
Lac-qui-parle counties in Minnesota.
If 287. 17. Pittsburgh (1883).— The Pittsburgh
conference shall include all that part of the state of
Pennsylvania lying west of a line running across the
state due north and south through the east boundary
line of Potter county, not included in the Oil City
conference. It shall also include all the towns from
the Pennsylvania state line to Bridgeport on the west
bank of the Ohio river in which the Pittsburgh con
ference now has organized societies, and the state of
West Virginia.
If 288. 18. California (1883).— The California
conference shall embrace all the state of California
lying north of San Luis Obispo, Kern and Inyo coun
ties.
H289. 19. East Michigan (1884).— The East
Michigan conference shall embrace all that part of
Michigan lying north of the base line and east of a
line beginning at the southwest corner of Ingham
and southeast corner of Eaton counties, thence north
running parallel with the meridian line to Lake
Huron.
1[290. 20. Louisiana (1884). — The Louisiana con
ference shall include the states of Louisiana and Mis
sissippi.
CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES 167
11 29 1. 21. Oregon (18S5). — The Oregon confer
ence shall include all that part of the state of Oregon
not embraced in the Columbia River and Southern
Oregon conferences.
U292. 22. West Iowa (1885).— The West Iowa
conference shall embrace all of the state of Iowa
lying west of the Iowa conference, and south of a
line running west from the northeast corner of Wright
county along the county lines to the Big Sioux river,
also including the county of Dakota, in the state of
Nebraska.
H293. 23. Wabash (1885).— The Wabash con
ference shall include all 'that part of the state of
Indiana lying south of a line beginning at the north
west corner of Benton county, thence east through
Pleasant Mills, Adams county, to the Ohio state line,
and that portion of the state of Illinois bounded by a
line running west from Fowler, Indiana, to a point six
miles west of the Chicago branch of the Illinois Cen
tral railroad, and thence running southwest, parallel
with said railroad to the south line of Shelby county,
and thence along the line of the Springfield branch
of the Ohio and Mississippi railroad to Shawnee-
town.
H294. 24. Colorado (1886).— The Colorado con
ference shall embrace the state of Colorado, the state
of Utah and the southern part of Wyoming and that
part of New Mexico lying west of the 100th meri
dian.
U295. 25. North Minnesota (1887).— The North
Minnesota conference shall embrace all that part of
the state of Minnesota not included in the Minnesota
and Northern Iowa conference.
If 296. 26. Nebraska (1890).— The Nebraska con
ference shall be bounded by a line commencing at the
southwest corner of Thayer county, Nebraska, thence
north to the northwest corner of Platte county, thence
168 CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES
west to the southeast corner of Wheeler county, thence
north to the northeast corner of Wheeler county,
thence west to the northwest corner of Grant county,
thence north to the White river in South Dakota,
thence east along the White river to its junction with
the Missouri river, thence east to the southeast, along
the Missouri river to its junction with Dakota
county, thence along the county line to the northwest
corner, thence to the southwest corner, thence east
along southern boundary of said county to the Mis
souri river, thence along the Missouri river to the
southeast corner of state of Nebraska, thence west
along the southern boundary of the state of Nebraska
to place of beginning.
1f297. 27. Southern California ^(189*).— The
Southern California conference shall embrace all of
the state of California not embraced in the California
conference, together with the state of Arizona.
- 1f 298. 28. Arkansas and Southern Missouri
(1895). — The Arkansas and Southern Missouri con
ference shall embrace the state of Arkansas together
with that part of Missouri not included in the Mis
souri conference.
If 299. 29. Columbia River (1896).— The Colum
bia River conference shall include that part of the
state of Washington lying east of the Okanogan and
Columbia rivers, and that part of Oregon east of
Gillian, Wheeler and Crook counties, and north of the
boundaries of the Southern Oregon conference; it
shall also include the state of Idaho and that part
of the state of Montana lying west of the 110th
meridian.
11300. 30. Washington (1896). — The Washington
conference shall be bounded by the Columbia river
on the south, and on the east by the Columbia river
to the intersection of the Okanogan river, thence by
the Okanogan river to the northern boundary of the
COUF1S8HCU BOt'NDARIES 1*
«tate, thence west to the crest of the Rocky Moun
tains, thence along the crest of the Rocky Moun-
tains to and including Alaska, and on the west by the
7 301 L < Platte River (1896).— The Platto
River conference shall include all that part of the
state of Nebraska not included in the Nebraska con-
H302. 32. West Ontario (1806).— The West On
tario conference shall include all that part of the
province of Ontario lying west of the following bound
ary line- The Niagara river, the west bounds of the
counties of Peel and Simcoe, and the west bounds of
the Muskoka, Parry Sound and Nipissing districts.
11303. 33. East Ontario (1806).— The East On
tario conference shall include all that part of the
province of Ontario not included in the West Ontario
conference.
<j 304. 34. Kentucky and Tennessee
The Kentucky and Tennessee conference shall include
the states of Kentucky and Tennessee.
1305. 35. North Dakota (1897).— The North
Dakota conference shall include all of the state of
North Dakota and that part of Montana lying east
of the 110th meridian.
1|306. 36. Oil City (1899).— The Oil City con
ference shall include that part of the state of Penn
sylvania lying west of a line beginning at the north-
oast corner of Potter county in said state and running
due south to the south bounds of the state. This line,
north and south, is also the east boundary line o
Pittsburgh conference. The southern boundary line
of the Oil City conference shall be as follows:
ginning at the Ohio state line and running due east
along the south bounds of Lawrence county to the
west bounds of Clearfield county, thence south to the
southwest corner of Clearfield county, thence east
170 CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES
along the south bounds of Clem-field and Center coun
ties to the eastern boundary line of the Oil City
and Pittsburgh conferences above mentioned; also the
counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Snyder,
Union, Lycoming and Clinton; also that part of Blair
county north of the line from east to west of Altoona,
all in the state of Pennsylvania.
H307. 37. Oklahoma (1889).— The Oklahoma
conference shall include all of Oklahoma and the In
dian territory.
1J308. 38. South Africa (1907).— The South Af
rica mission conference shall include the whole of
Portuguese East Africa, Natal, Transvaal, Cape
Colony and the Orange River Colony.
1309. 39. Southern Oregon (1912).— The South
ern Oregon conference shall include that part of the
state of Oregon lying south of a line beginning at
the Pacific ocean at the northwest corner of Lane
county and extending due east across the state.
H 3 10. 40. Georgia and Florida (1913).— The
Georgia and Florida conference shall include the
states of Georgia and Florida.
If 31 I. 41. Saskatchewan (1914).— The Sas
katchewan conference shall include the provinces of
Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
If 3 1 2. 42. Alberta (1914).— The Alberta confer
ence shall include the province of Alberta and all that
portion of the province of British Columbia lying east
of the crest of the Rocky Mountains.
If 313. 43. East Texas (1915).— The East Texas
conference is bounded as follows: Beginning at the
Texas and Pacific Railroad, at the boundary line of
Texas and Louisiana, on the Shreveport branch, fol
lowing the same to Big Sandy, thence to the St. Louis
and Southwestern Railroad to Waco, thence to San
Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad to Cuero, thence
the Southern Pacific to Port Lavaca, thence along the
CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES 171
Gulf of Mexico to Louisiana, thence up the Louisiana
line to the point of beginning.
11 3 1 4. Any question of boundaries that may arise
shall be referred to the executive committee.
PART X
THE RITUAL
CHAPTERS
I. BAPTISM
II. THE LORD'S SUPPER
III. THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY
IV. THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD
V. ORDINATION SERVICES
VI. FORM FOR DEDICATION OF
CHURCHES
CHAPTER I
BAPTISM
H3I5. 1. Adult persons and the parents of each
child to be baptized, shall have the choice of immer
sion, sprinkling, or pouring.
2. We will on no account whatever make a charge
for administering baptism.
I. Of Infants
[The minister coming to the font, which is to be filled
with pure water, shall use the following :J
1J3I6. Dearly beloved, forasmuch as our Savior,
Christ, saith, "Suffer little children to come unto
me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom
of God;" and as the holy apostle St. Peter de
clares that, "The promise is unto you and to your
children," therefore this child has been brought hither
that he may be consecrated by this solemn ordinance
to the service of his Creator, and that he may receive
the sign and seal of the covenant of grace into which
God is mercifully pleased to enter with all his chil
dren;
I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through
our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous mercy
he will grant unto this child, that he being made par
taker of the divine nature may grow up into Christ
our living head in all things, till he comes in tho
unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of th<>
176 BAPTISM
stature of the fulness of Christ; and unto these
parents the needed grace that they may properly dis
charge all the duties they owe to this child which
God has given them
[Then shall the minister say:]
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting 'God, the aid of all who
need, the helper of all who flee to thee for succor,
the covenant-keeping God, we thank thee that thou
hast made it our privilege to dedicate our children
to thy service, that they may live to thy glory, and
gain everlasting life. We call upon thee for this
child that he may be delivered from the power of
sin and Satan, and be sanctified by the power of the
Holy Ghost, and enjoy the everlasting benediction
of thy heavenly washing. We pray thee for these
parents, that they may realize how great is the re
sponsibility resting upon them touching the proper
training of those entrusted to their care; we beseech
thee to grant unto them the aid of thy Holy Spirit,
that both by precept and example they may so lead
this child in the narrow way of life, that both parent
and child may come to the everlasting kingdom, which
thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Then shall the people stand up and the minister shall
say :]
Hear the words of the gospel written by St. Mark,
in the tenth chapter, commencing with the thirteenth
verse :
They brought young children to Christ, that he
should touch them. And his disciples rebuked those
that brought them; but when Jesus saw it, he was
much displeased, and said unto them. Suffer little
children to come u»to me, and forbid them not, for
of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto
BAPTISM OF INFANTS 177
you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of
God as a little child, he cannot enter therein. And
he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon
them and blessed them.
[Then shall the minister demand of the parents sever
ally, as follows:]
Ques. Dost thou, in the presence of God, and of
these witnesses, solemnly dedicate this child to the
Lord, that he may live in his service all his days?
Ans. I do.
Ques. Dost thou, so far as thou canst, in his be
half renounce the devil and all his works, the vain
pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous de
sires of the same, and the sinful desires of the flesh,
so that, in the training of this child, thou wilt not
follow nor be led by them; and so that, as far as in
thee lies, thou wilt prevent him from following the
same?
Ans. I do.
Ques. Dost thou believe in the Holy Scriptures
of the Old and New Testaments?
Ans. I do.
Ques. Wilt thou, out of the same, diligently
teach this child the statutes and commandments of
the Most High; and wilt thou train him up in the
nurture and admonition of the Lord?
Ans. I will.
[Then the minister shall take the child into his hands
and say to the friends of the child:]
Name this child.
[And then, naming it after them, he shall sprinkle or
pour water upon it, cr, if desired, immerse it in
water, saying:]
N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
ITS BAPTISM
[Then he shall say, all kneeling:]
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, in earth
as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from
evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, forever. Amen.
[Tlien shall the minister conclude with extemporary
prayer.]
II. Of Those of Riper Years
1f 317. Dearly beloved, since all men are by nature
sinners, and have nothing in themselves by which
they can be delivered from the guilt and pollution of
sin, and attain to that holiness without which no man
can see the Lord, we invite you to join with us in
fervent prayer for these persons, that they may have
grace always to keep their covenant with God, r>ud
that they may continually enjoy the washing of re
generation, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.
[Then shall the minister say:]
Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all that
need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succor,
the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of
the dead; we call upon thee for these persons; that
they, coming to thy holy baptism, may by this rite
truthfully testify to that inner washing through faith
in the precious blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and
that they may enjoy the everlasting benediction of
this heavenly washing and come to the eternal king
dom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord.
[Then shall the people stand up, and the minister shall
say:]
Hear the words of the Savior as recorded in the
gospel written by St. -Matthew, in. the twenty-eighth
BAPTISM OF ADULTS 179
chapter, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations, bap
tizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you, and, lo! I
Mm with you alway even unto the end of the world."
Amen.
[Then the minister .shall speak to the person to be bap
tized in this wise:]
Well beloved, who here present yourselves for holy
baptism, you have heard how the congregation hath
prayed that God would continue his loving favor
toward you and bring you unto his eternal kingdom.
And God, the covenant-keeping God, hath promised
by his only begotten Son whom he yielded up for
our redemption that he would grant these gracious
favors. Wherefore you must promise upon your part
in the presence of this congregation that you, re
nouncing the devil and all his works, will implicitly
believe God's holy word and obediently keep his
commandments.
[Then shall the minister demand of each of the persons
to be baptized severally :]
Ques. Dost thou renounce the devil and all his
works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with
all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal de
sires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow nor
be led by them?
Ans. I renounce them all.
Ques. Dost thou believe in God, the Father Al
mighty, Maker of heaven and earth? and in Jesus
Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord? and that
he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the
Virgin Mary? that he suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead and buried? that he arose again
on the third day? that he ascended into heaven, and
180 BAPTISM
sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Al
mighty, and from thence shall come again, at the end
of the world, to judge the quick and the'dead?
And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost, the com
munion of saints; the remission of sins; the resurrec
tion of the body, and everlasting life after death?
Ans. All this I steadfastly believe.
Ques. Wilt thou be baptized in this faith?
Ans. This is my desire.
Ques. Wilt thou obediently keep God's will and
commandments, and walk in the same all the days of
thy life?
Ans. I will endeavor so to do, God being my
helper.
[Then shall the minister say:]
Almighty and everlasting God, author of life etev-
nal, grant that the regenerating grace which thou
hast so mercifully vouchsafed to these persons may
not have been bestowed in vain. Grant also that they
may enjoy that greater baptism of the Holy Ghost to
the end that all carnal affections may be destroyed
in them and that every Christian grace and virtue
may freely live and grow in them. Amen. Almighty
God, Father of all mankind, Eternal Son, Deliverer
of thine Israel, Holy Spirit, Guide of thy people,
grant that these persons may have constant victory
over the world, the flesh and the devil, and that they
may enjoy the fulness of thy grace and ever remain
in the number of thy faithful and elect children. We
ask it through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
[Then shall the minister take by the right hand each
person to be baptized, and placing him conveniently
by the font, according to his discretion, shall ask the
name and then sprinkle or pour water upon him (or
if he shall desire it, shall immerse him in water),
saying:]
BAPTISM OP ADULTS 181
N., I baptize tbee In the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
[Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer, all kneeling con
cluding with extemporary prayer and the benediction.]
CHAPTER II
THE LORD'S SUPPER
(The use of individual communion cups is recom
mended, wherever practicable.)
I. General Directions
TJ3I8. 1. Let all our ministers exercise due care
to see that no person known to be living an immoral
life, or to be guilty of any disreputable practise be ad
mitted to the Lord's table among us until he shall
have given satisfactory evidence of repentance and
amendment of life.
2. All persons properly included in the general
invitation may be allowed to partake of the Lord's
Supper among us.
II. Order for the Administration of the Lord's Supper
[The elder may say:]
1| 3 1 9. Ye that do truly and earnestly repent of
your sins, and are in love and charity with your neigh
bors, and intend to lead a new life, following the com
mandments of God, and walking henceforth in his
holy ways, draw near with faith, and take this holy
sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble
confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon
your knees.
[Then may this general confession be made:]
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Maker of all things, Judge of all men, we acknowl-
182
THE LORD'S SUPPER 183
edge and bewail the manifold sins and wickedness of
our past lives, which we from time to time most
grievously have committed, by thought, word, and
deed, against thy Divine Majesty, provoking most
justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do
earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our
past misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous
unto us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us,
most merciful Father, for thy Son, our Lord Jesus
Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past; and grant
that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in
newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy name,
through Jesu? Christ, our Lord. Amen.
[Or in place of it the elder may say the Lord's Prayer,
the people repeating it with him.]
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done in earth as
it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and
forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, forever. Amen.
[Then may the elder say:]
O Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy
great mercy hast promised forgiveness of sins to all
them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn
unto thee; have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver
us from our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all
goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
THE COLLECT
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are opened,
all desires known, and from whom no secrets are
hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts, by the in
spiration of the Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly
184 THE LORD'S SUPPER
love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name,
through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
[Then may the elder say:]
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty that
we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks
unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, Almighty and ever
lasting. God.
Therefore, with angels and archangels, and with
all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy
glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth
are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most
high. Amen.
[Then may the elder say :]
We do not presume to come to this thy table, O
merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but
in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not
worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under
thy table. But thou art the same Lord, whose prop
erty is always to have mercy; grant us therefore, gra
cious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son, Jesus
Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may live and
grow thereby, and that being washed through his
most precious blood, we may evermore dwell in him,
and he in us. Amen.
[Then may the elder say the prayer of consecration, as
follows :]
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy
tender mercy didst give thine only Son, Jesus Christ,
to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption;
who made there by his oblation of himself once of
fered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation
and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and
did institute, and in his holy gospel command us to
continue a perpetual memory of that his precious
death until his coming again; hear us, O merciful
THE LORD'S SUPPER 185
Father, we most humbly beseech thee, and grant
that we, receiving these, thy creatures of bread and
wine, according to thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ's
holy institution, in remembrance of his death and
passion may be partakers of his most blessed body and
blood; who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread;
[Here the elder may take the plate of bread iuto his
hand.]
and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave
it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body
which is given for you; do this in remembrance of'
me. Likewise after supper he took the cup;
[Here he may take the cup In Ms hand.]
and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them,
saying, Drink ye all of this; for this
[And here he may lay his hand upon all the vessels
which contain the wine.]
is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for
you and for many, for the remission of sins; do this
as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.
Amen.
[Thon may the minister first receive the communion in
both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the
same to the other ministers in like manner (if :>ny
there he present), and after that to the people nlso,
in order, into their hands. And when he delivers the
bread he shall say :]
Tho body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was
given for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto ever
lasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that
Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart,
by faith, with thanksgiving.
[And the minister that delivers the cnp may say :]
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed
for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto everlasting
186 THE LORD'S SUPPER
life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's blood
was shed for thee, and be thankful.
[If the consecrated bread or wine shall be all spent
before all have communicated, the elder may conse
crate more, by repeating the prayer of consecration.
When all have communed the minister shall return
to the Lord's table and place upon it what remaineth
of the consecrated elements, covering the same with
a fair linen cloth.
Here the elder may offer extemporary prayer, concluding
with this blessing:]
May the peace of God, which passe th all under
standing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowl
edge and love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ,
our Lord; and the blessings of God Almighty, the
Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, be among you
and remain with you always. Amen.
CHAPTER III
THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY
K320. [At the day and time appointed for the sol
emnizing of matrimony, the persons to be married stand
ing together, the man on the right hand of the woman,
the minister shall say:]
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in
the sight of God, and in the presence of these wit
nesses, to join together this man and this woman in
holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, in
stituted of God in the time of man's innocency, sig
nifying unto us the mystical union that is between
Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ
adorned and beautified with his presence, and first
miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is
commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all
men; and therefore is not by any to be taken in hand
unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear
of God.
Into which holy estate these two persons present
come now to be joined. Therefore, if any can show
any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined
together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for
ever hold his peace.
[And also speaking unto the persons that are to be
married, he may say:]
I require and charge you both (as you will answer
at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of
all hearts shall be disclosed) that if either of you
know any impediment why you may not be lawfully
joined together in matrimony, you do now confess it,
187
188 THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY
for be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled
together otherwise than God's word doth allow, are
not joined together by God, neither is their matri
mony lawful.
[If no impediment be alleged, then shall the minister
say unto the man:]
M., wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded
wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the
holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, com
fort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in
health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto
her, so long as ye both shall live?
[Then the man shall answer:]
I will.
[Then the minister shall say unto the woman:]
N., wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded hus
band, to live together after God's ordinance, in the
holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love, honor
and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking
all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both
shall live?
[Then the woman shall answer:]
I will.
[Then shall the minister join their right hands together,
and say:]
Those whom God hath joined together let not man
put asunder.
Forasmuch as M. and N. have consented together
in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the 'same before
God, and this company, and thereto have pledged
their faith each to the other, and have declared the
same by joining hands; I pronounce that they are hus
band and wife together, in the name of the Father,
and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
[And the minister shall «dd this blessing:]
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost,
bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully
THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY 180
with his favor look upon you, and so fill you with all
spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live
together in this life, that in the world to come ye may
have life everlasting. Amen.
[Then let prayer he offered.]
CHAPTER IV
THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD
f 321. We will on jio account make a charge for
'burying the dead.
[The minister, meeting the corpse, and going hefore
it s'hall say:]
I am the resurrection and the life; he that be-
lieveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live;
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never
die (John 11:25, 26).
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall
stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though
after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my
flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself,
and mine eyes shall behold, and not another (Job
19:25-27).
We brought nothing into this world, and it is cer
tain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and
the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the
Lord (1 Tim. 6:7; Job 1:21).
[At the grave, while the corpse is being laid in the
earth, the minister shall say:]
Man that is born of woman hath but a short time
to live, and is full of misery. lie cometh up and is
cut down like a flower: he fleeth as it were a shadow
and never continued! in one stay.
In the midst of life we are in death; of whom may
we seek for succor but of thee, O Lord, who for our
sins art justly displeased?
Yet, O Lord, God most holy, O Lord most mighty,
190
BUIUAL OP THE DEAD 101
O holy and most merciful Savior, deliver us not into
the bitter pains of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts;
shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers, but spare
us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and
most merciful Savior, thou most worthy Judge eternal,
suffer us not at our last hour for any pains of death
to fall from thee.
[Then while the earth shall he cast upon the body, the
minister shall say:]
Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, in his
wise providence, to take out of this world the soul
of our deceased brother, we therefore commit his
body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes,
dust to dust; looking for the general resurrection in
the last day, and the life . of the world to come,
through our Lord Jesus Christ; at whose second com
ing in glorious majesty to judge the world, the earth
and the sea shall give up their dead; and the corrupt
ible bodies of those who sleep in him shall be changed,
and made like unto his own glorious body; according
to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue
all things unto himself.
I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write:
from henceforth blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord; even so, saith the Spirit, for they rest from
their labors.
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done in earth
as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors;
and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from
evil. Amen.
THE COLLECT
~ O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom
192 BURIAL OF THE DEAD
whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and
whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall not die
eternally; we meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise
us from the death of sin unto the life of righteous
ness, that when we shall depart this life we may rest
in him; and at the general resurrection, on the last day,
may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive that
blessing which thy well-beloved Son shall then pro
nounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, Come ye
blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared
for you from the beginning of the world. Grant
this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through
Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of
God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us
all evermore. Amen.
CHAPTER V
ORDINATION SERVICES
I. Ordination of Elders
f322. [When the time appointed for the ordination
shall have come one of the elders shall present unto the
president those who are to be ordained, saying:
I present unto you these persons (reading their names
aloud) to he ordained elders. Then the president shall
say Onto the people:]
Brethren, these are they whom we purpose, God
willing, this day to ordain elders. For after due
examination, we find not to the contrary, but that
they are lawfully called to this function and ministry,
and that they are persons meet for the same. But if
any of you know any impediment or crime in any of
them, for which he ought not to he received into this
holy ministry, come forth in the name of God, and
show what the crime or impediment is.
[If no crime nor impediment be alleged, then shall be
said the collect, epistle, and gospel, as follows:]
THE COLLECT
Almighty God, Giver of all good things, who by the
Holy Spirit hast appointed divers orders of ministers
in thy church, mercifully behold these, thy servants,
now called to the office of elder, and replenish them
so with the truth of thy doctrine and adorn them
with innocency of life, that both by word and good
example they may faithfully serve thee in this office,
to the glory of thy name and the edification of thy
193
194 ORDINATION SERVICES
church, through the mercies of our Savior, Jesus
Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
THE EPISTLE — EPHKSIANS 4 : 7-13
Unto every one of us is given grace according to
the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith,
When he ascended up on high, he led captivity cap
tive and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended,
what is it but that he also descended first into the
lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the
same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that
he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles;
and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the
body of Christ; till we all come in the unity of the
faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto
a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ.
THE GOSPEL — ST. JOHN 10:7-16
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I
say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that
ever came before me are thieves and robbers; but the
sheep did not hear them. I am the door; by me, if
any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go
in and out and find pasture. The thief cometh not
but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy; I am
come that they might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd;
the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But
he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose
own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming and
leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth
them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth,
ORDINATION OF ELDERS 195
because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am
known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so
know I the Father; and I lay down my life for the
sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this
fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my
voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.
[And that clone, the president shall say unto them as
follows:]
You have heard, brethren, in the lessons taken
out of the gospel and the writings of the apostles,
of what dignity, and of how great importance
this office is whereunto ye are called. And now again
we exhort you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you have in remembrance, into how high a dignity
and to how weighty an office ye are called; that is to
say, to be messengers, watchmen and stewards of the
Lord, to teach and to premonish, to feed and to pro
vide for the Lord's family, to seek for Christ's sheep
that are dispersed abroad, and for his children that
are in the midst of this evil world, that they may be
saved through Christ forever.
We have good hope that you have all weighed
and pondered these things with yourselves long be
fore this time; and that you have clearly determined,
by God's grace, to give yourselves wholly to this
office, whereunto it hath pleased God to call you; so
that as much as lieth in you, you will apply your
selves wholly to this one thing, and draw all your
cares and studies this way, and that you will contin
ually pray to God the Father by the mediation of our
only Savior, Jesus Christ, for the heavenly assistance
of the Holy Ghost; that by daily reading and weigh
ing of the Scriptures, ye may wax riper and stronger
in your ministry; and that ye may so endeavor your
selves from time to time to sanctify the lives of you
and yours, and to fashion them after the rule and doc-
196 ORDINATION SERVICES
trine of Christ, that ye may be wholesome and godly
examples, and patterns for the people to follow.
And now that this present congregation of Christ,
here assembled, may also understand your minds and
wills in these things, and that this, your promise, may
the more move you to do your duties, ye shall answer
plainly to these things which we, in the name of God
and his church, shall demand of you touching the
same.
Do you think in your heart that you are
truly called, according to the will of our Lord Jesus
Christ, to the gospel ministry, and to perform the
duties of an elder?
Ans. I think so.
President: Are you persuaded that the Holy
Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrines required
of necessity for eternal salvation through faith in
Jesus Christ? And are you determined out of the
said Scriptures to instruct the people committed to
your charge, and to teach nothing as required of ne
cessity to salvation but that which you shall be per
suaded may be concluded and proved by the Scrip
tures?
A. I am so persuaded, and have so determined by
God's grace.
P. Will you then give your faithful diligence al
ways so to minister the doctrines and sacraments and
discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded?
A. I will do so by the help of the Lord.
P. Will you be ready with all faithful diligence
to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange
doctrines contrary to God's word; and to use both
public and private monitions and exhortations, as
well to the sick as to the whole, within your charge,
as need shall require and occasion shall be given?
A. I will, the Lord being my helper.
P. Will you be diligent in prayers, and in reading
ORDINATIO>> OF ELDERS 197
the Holy Scriptures, and such studies as help to a
Knowledge of the same, laying aside the study of the
world and the flesh?
A. I will endeavor so to do, the Lord being my
helper.
P. Will you be diligent to frame and fashion your
self and your family according to the doctrine of
Christ; and to make both yourself and them, as much
as in you lieth, wholesome examples and patterns to
the flock of Christ?
A. I shall apply myself thereto, the Lord being
my helper.
P. Will you maintain and set forward as much
as lieth in you, quietness, peace, and love, among all
Christian people, and especially among those who are
or may be committed to your charge?
A. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
[That done, the president shall ^ray In this wise, and
say :]
Let us pray.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thin-e
infinite love and goodness toward us hast given to
us thine only and most dearly beloved Son, Jesus
Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the author of ever
lasting life; who after he had made perfect our re
demption by his death, and was ascended into heaven,
sent abroad into the world his apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors and teachers, by whose labor
and ministry he gathered together a great flock in
all parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise
of thy holy name; for these so great benefits of thy
eternal goodness and for that thou hast vouchsafed
to call these thy servants here present to the same
office and ministry appointed for the salvation of man
kind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks; we
praise and wr>rship thee; and we humbly beseech thee
by the same, thy blessed Son, to grant unto all who
198 ORDINATION SERVICES
either here or elsewhere call upon thy name, that we
may continue to show ourselves thankful unto thee,
for these, and all other, thy benefits, and that we may
daily increase and go forward in the knowledge and
faith of thee and thy Son, by the Holy Spirit. So
that as well by these thy ministers, as by them over
whom they shall be appointed thy ministers, thy holy
name may be forever glorified, and thy blessed king
dom enlarged, through the same, thy Son, Jesus
Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee
in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without
end. Amen.
[Wlhen this prayer is done, those to be ordained should
remain kneeling, and the president, and the elders
present, shall lay their hands severally upon the head
of each of them, and the president shall say:]
The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost for the
office and work of an elder in the Church of God now
committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands.
And be thou a faithful dispenser of the word of God,
and of his holy sacraments; in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
[They shall continue to kneel, and the president shall
deliver to each one of them the Bible into Ms hands,
and shall say:]
Take thou authority to preach the word of God
and to administer the holy sacraments in the con
gregation.
[Then the president shall say :]
Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to send
upon these thy servants thy heavenly blessings, that
they may be clothed with righteousness and that
thy word spoken by their mouths may have such suc
cess, that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant us
also that we may have grace to hear and receive,
what they shall deliver out of thy most holy word, or
agreeably to the same, as the means of our salva-
ORDINATION OF DEACONS 199
tion; and that in all our words and deeds wo may seek
thy glory and the increase of thy kingdom through
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Assist us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most
gracious favor, and further us with thy continual
help, that in all our works begun, continued and ended
in thee, we may glorify thy name, and finally, by thy
mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Chris i,
our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord;
and the blessings of God Almighty, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain
with you always. Amen.
II. Ordination of Deacons
H 323. [When the day appointed for the ordination is
come, there shall be a sermon or exhortation, declaring
the duty and office of such as come to be admitted dea
cons.
After this one of the elders shall present to the
president the persons to be ordained deacons, and their
names being read aloud, the president shall say to the
people:]
Brethren, if any of you know any crime or im
pediment in any of these persons presented to be
ordained deacon, for which he oug'.t not to be ad
mitted to that office, come forth in the name of God
and show what the crime or impediment is.
[If any crime or impediment be alleged, the president
shall cease from ordaining that person until such
time as he shall be found clear of the crime.
Then shall be read the following collect and epistle:]
THE COLLECT
Almighty God, who by thy divine providence hath
appointed divers orders of ministers in thy Church,
and who didst inspire thy apostles to choose into
the order of deacons thy first martyr, St. Stephen,
200 ORDINATION SERVICES
with others; mercifully behold these thy servants,
now called to the like office and administrations; re
plenish them so with the truth of thy doctrine, and
adorn them with innocency of life, that both by word
and good example they may faithfully serve thee in
this office, to the glory of thy name, and the edifica
tion of thy Church, through the merits of our Savior,
Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and
the Holy Ghost, now and forever. Amen.
THE EPISTLE — 1 TIMOTHY 3 : 8-13
Deacons in like manner must be grave, not double-
tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy
lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure con
science. And let these also first be proved; then let
them serve as deacons if they be blameless. Women
in like manner must be grave, not slanderers, tem
perate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be hus
bands of one wife, ruling their children and their own
houses well. For they that have served well as dea
cons gain to themselves a good standing, and great
boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[Then shall the president examine each one of those
who are to be ordained, in the presence of the people,
after the manner following:]
President. Do you trust that you are inwardly
moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you the office
of the ministry in the Church of Christ, to serve God
for the promoting of his glory and the edification of
his people?
Ans. I trust so.
P. Do you unfeignedly believe all the canonical
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?
A. I do believe them.
P. Will you diligently read or expound the same
unto the people whom you shall be appointed to
serve?
A. I will.
ORDINATION OF DEACONS 201
P. It appertained to the office of a deacon to
assist the elder in divine service. And especially
when he ministereth the holy communion, and to
help him in the distribution thereof, and to read
and expound the Holy Scriptures; to instruct the
youth, and in the absence of the elder to baptize.
And, furthermore, it is his office to search for the
sick, poor, and impotent, that they may be visited
and relieved. Will you do this gladly and willingly?
A. I will do so by the help of God.
P. Will you apply all your diligence to frame and
fashion your own lives (and the lives of your families)
according to the doctrine of Christ; and to make
(both) yourselves (and them) as much as in you lieth,
wholesome examples of the flock of Christ?
A. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
P. Will you reverently obey them to whom the
charge and government over you is committed, fol
lowing with- glad mind and will their godly admoni
tions?
A. I will endeavor so to do, the Lord being my
helper.
[The president, laying his hands severally upon the
•head of each one of them, shall say:]
Take thou authority to execute the office of a dea
con in the chuvch of God, in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
[Then shall the president deliver to each one of them
the Holy Bible, saying:]
Take thou authority to read the Holy Scriptures
in the church of God, and to preach in the same.
[Then one of them, appointed by the president, shall
read the gospel.]
Luke 12:85-38. Let your loins be girded about
and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto
men that wait for their Lord, when he will return
202 ORDINATION SERVICES
from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh,
they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are
those servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall
find watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall
gird himself, and make them sit down to meat, and
will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come
in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and
find them so, blessed are those servants.
[Then shall the president proceed in the communion, and
all that are ordained shall receive the holy communion.
The communion ended, immediately before the benedic
tion, shall be said the collects following:]
Almighty God, Giver of all good things, who of
thy great goodness hast vouchsafed to accept and
take these thy servants into the office of deacon of
thy church; make them, we beseech thee, O Lord, to
be modest, humble and constant in their ministration,
and to have a ready will to observe all spiritual dis
cipline; that they having always the testimony of a
good conscience, and continuing ever stable and strong
in thy Son, Christ Jesus, may so well behave them
selves in this inferior office, that they may be found
worthy to be called into the higher ministries in thy
church, through the same, thy Son, our Savior, Jesus
Christ; to whom be glory and honor, world without
end. Amen.
Assist us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy
most gracious favor, and further us with thy con
tinual help; that in all our works begun, continued
and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name,
and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God which passeth all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love
of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. And
the blessing of God Almighty, Ihe Father, the Son
and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain with
you always. Amen.
CHAPTER VI
FORM FOR DEDICATION OF CHURCHES
K. 324. [The congregation being assembled, let an
Mippropriate hymn be sung. Afterward, let extemporary
prayer be offered. Then shall the minister, or some one
appointed, read:]
The first lesson, Psalm 84:
,How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of
the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the
living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house,
and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may
lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my
King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in
thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose
heart are the ways of them. Who passing through
the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth
the pools. They go from strength to strength, every
one of them in Zion appeareth before God. O Lord
God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of
Jacob. Selah. Behold, O God our shield, and look
upon the face of thine anointed. For a day in thy
courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be
a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell
in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a
sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no
good thing will he withhold from them that walk up
rightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that
trusteth in thee,
203
204 DEDICATION OF CHURCHES
The second lesson, Hebrews 10: 19-26:
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into
the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living
way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the
veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high
priest over the house of God; let us draw near with
a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our
bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the
profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is
faithful that promised;) and let us consider one an
other to provoke unto love and to good works: not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as
the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:
and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more
sacrifice for sins.
tThen let an appropriate hymn be sung; after which the
minister shall deliver a sermon suitable to the occasion.
Contributions shall then be received from the people.]
[Then let the trustees stand before the altar, and one of
them, or some one in their behalf, say unto the min
ister:]
We present unto you this building, to be dedicated
as a church for the service and worship of Almighty
God.
[Then shall the minister request the congregation to
stand, while he repeats the following declaration:]
DECLARATION
Dearly beloved, it is meet and right, as we learn
from the Holy Scriptures, that houses erected for the
public worship of God should be specially set apart
and dedicated to religious uses. For such a dedica
tion we are now assembled. With gratitude, there
fore, to Almighty God, who has signally blessed his
servants in their holy enterprise of erecting this
DEDICATION OF CHURCHES 205
church, we dedicate it to his service, for the reading of
the Holy Scriptures, the preaching of the word of
God, the administration of the holy sacraments, and
for all other exercises of religious worship and ser
vice, according to the Discipline and usages of the
Free Methodist church.
[Then let the dedicatory prayer be offered.]
PART XI
COURSES OF STUDY
CHAPTERS
*
I. FOR TRAVELING PREACHERS
II. FOR LOCAL PREACHERS
III. FOR DEACONESSES
IV. COURSE OF READING FOR CLASS
LEADERS
V. FOR MISSIONARIES IN AFRICA
VI. FOR MISSIONARIES IN INDIA
VII. BOARD OF EXAMINERS
CHAPTER I
COURSE OF STUDY FOR TRAVELING
PREACHERS
PRELIMINARY
IT 325. 1. English Grammar
2. Arithmetic
3. M6dern Geography
4. Spelling
5. Composition
6. United States History (Candidates in Canada.
Canadian History^
7. Binney's Theological Compend
8. Wesley's Plain Account of Christian Perfection
9. iMacGeary's Outline History of the Free Meth
odist Church
10. Free Methodist Discipline
FIRST YEAR
1[326. 1. Ralston's Divinity, Part I, Books 1, 2
and 3
2. Hogue's Homiletics and Pastoral Theology,
Part I
3. Hill's Foundation of Rhetoric, Part I
4. Morey's Outlines of Ancient History
5. Present written sermon
Books to be read:
1. Hogue's History of the Free Methodist Church,
Volume I
2. Roberts' Fishers of Men
209
210 COUESES OF STUDY
3. Briggs on the Sabbath; or, Gamble's Sunday,
the True Sabbath
4. Hogue's The Class Meeting as a Means of
Grace
5. Schaff's Person of Christ
6. Wesley's Sermons, Volume I, sermons 1 to 30
inclusive
SECOND YEAB
K 327. 1. Ralston's Divinity, Part I, Books 4 and
5, and Part II
2. Hill's Foundations of Rhetoric, Part II
3. Homiletics and Pastoral Theology, Part II
4. Hopkins' Outline Study of Man
5. Myers' Medieval History
6. Present written sermon
Books to be read:
1. Hogue's History of the Free Methodist Church,
Volume II
2. Wood's Perfect Love
3. Orr's The Bible Under Trial
4. Fitchett's Wesley and His Century
5. Wesley's Sermons, Volume I, sermons 31 to 58
inclusive
THIRD YEAB
Tf 328. 1. Ralston's Divinity, Parts III and IV
2. Smith's Old Testament History
3. Hopkins' Law of Love and Love as a Law
4. Myers' Modern History
5. Fisher's Church History, first half
6. Present written sermon
Books to be read:
1. Stevens' History of Methodism
2. Life of Redfield
3. Hogue's Hymns That Are Immortal
4. Roberts' Holiness Teachings
FOR TRAVELING PREACHERS 211
FOURTH YEAR
If 329. 1. Orr's The Faith of a Modern Christian
2. Smith's New Testament History
3. Coleman's Social Ethics
4. Jevon's Logic (primer edition)
5. Fisher's Church History, second half
6. Present written sermon
Books to be read:
1. D'Aubigne's History of the Reformation
2. Esenwein's How to Attract and Hold an
Audience
3. The Indwelling Christ, by Baldwin
4. Digest of Free Methodist Law
CHAPTER II
COURSE OF STUDY FOR LOCAL PREACHERS
I. For Local Preachers Who are to be Examined by
the Quarterly Conference
FIRST YEAR
f 330. 1. Binney's Theological Compend
2. Wesley's Plain Account of Christian Perfection
3. Articles of Religion and General Rules of the
Free Methodist Discipline
Books to be read:
1. Roberts' Fishers of Men
2. MacGeary's Outline History of the Free Meth
odist Church
3. Wesley's Sermons, Volume I, sermons 1 to 15
inclusive
H33I. 1. Sims' Helps to Bible Study (revised
edition)
2. Hogue's Handbook of Hoiniletics and Pastoral
Theology, Part I
Books to be read:
1. Wood's Perfect Love
2. Schaff's Person of Christ
o. Wesley's Sermons, Volume I, sermons 16 to 30
inclusive
The examination of local preachers and evangelists
may be conducted orally.
212
FOR LOCAL PREACHERS 213
II. For Local Preachers Who Wish to be Ordained
Deacons
H 332. 1. Field's Handbook of Theology, first half
2. Smith's Old Testament History
Books to be read:
1. Hogue's History of the Free Methodist Church,
Volume I
'2. Orr's The Faith of a Modern Christian
3. The Indwelling Christ, by Baldwin
III. For Local Deacons Who Wish to be Ordained
Elders
H 333. 1. Field's Handbook of Theology, second
half
2. Smith's New Testament History
Books to be read:
1. Hogue's History of the Free Methodist Church.
Volume II
L'. Walker's Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation
3. Fitchett's Wesley and His Century
N. B. — The examination of local preachers who wish
to be ordained shall be conducted by the annual confer
ence. Let the examining committees and candidates to
be examined be present at the seat of conference for
examinations not later than the first day of the confer
ence session. Candidates not present at such time forfeit
their right to examination for that year. In conducting
examinations, examiners shall report the standing of
eacli candidate in each book according to a scale of ten,
six being satisfactory.
CHAPTER III
COURSE OF STUDY FOR DEACONESSES
FIRST YEAR
H334. 1. Free Methodist Discipline
2. Hurst's Outline of Bible History (Normal
Edition)
3. Manual of Nursing, by Weeks
Books to be read:
1. All About the Bible, by Collett
2. Clara Leffingwell, a Missionary, by Sellew
3. Deaconess, Ancient and Modern, by Wheeler
SECOND YEAB
H 335. 1. Binney's Theological Compend
2. Wesley's Plain Account of Christian Perfection
3. Deaconesses in Europe, by Mrs. J. B. Robinson
Books to be read:
1. Arthur's Tongue of Fire
2. The Heart of Asbury's Journal, by Tipple
3. The Indwelling Christ, by Baldwin
The examination of deaconesses shall be con
ducted by the annual conference board of examiners,
and may be conducted orally. See paragraph 174
(11). A deaconess having completed the foregoing
studies of the first and second years is eligible to
be licensed by the annual conference, according to
paragraph 174 (6).
214
CHAPTER IV
COURSE OF READING FOR CLASS LEADERS
If 336. The following course of reading for class
leaders is recommended by the general conference in
the belief that it will meet a general need throughout
our work, and that the few inexpensive volumes there
in named are of such a character as cannot fail to
benefit all class leaders who will carefully read them,
not only in the way of personal edification, but also
in the way of increasing their efficiency in dealing with
those under their care in this responsible office.
Discipline of the Free Methodist Church
Binney's Theological Compend
The Class Meeting as a Means of Grace (Hogue)
The Class Leader (Atkinson)
Memoir of Carvosso (By his son)
Life of William Bramwell (Thompson)
Life of J. W. Redfield (Terrill)
Christian Perfection (Wesley)
Perfect Love (Wood)
Fishers of Men (Roberts)
Hymns That Are Immortal (Hogue)
History of Methodism (Stevens, Abridged)
Daniel Quorm and His Religious Notions (Pearse)
The King's Son. A Memoir of Billy Bray
The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life
Outline History of the Free Methodist Church
In Christ (Pierson)
The Person of Christ (Schaff)
Philosophy of the Plan of Salvation (Walker)
Digest of Free Methodist Law
215
CHAPTP]K V
COURSE OF STUDY FOR MISSIONARIES IN
AFRICA*
FIRST YEAR
If 337. 1. Grammar, in native language
2. Translate St. John's Gospel from vernacular
3. Composition work in native language
4. Discipline
5. Steele's Bible Study. New Testament Studies
in Missions
Books to be read:
1. "Essential Kaffir." At Inhambane, "The Life
of a South African Tribe"
2. Redemption of Africa, Volume I
3. "The Foreign Missionary," by Brown
4. Roberts' Fishers of Men
SECOND YEAR
1 338. 1. Papers in vernacular on "Paul's Mis
sionary Journeys," and "Life of Joseph"
2. Translate from vernacular first fifteen chapters
of Genesis and three of Paul's shorter epistles
3. Ralston's Divinity, Part I, Books 1, 2 and 3
4. Wesley's Plain Account of Christian Perfection
5. Hogue's Homiletics
* This course of study to apply to all missionaries in
Africa who are candidates for ordination. Others to
take the course of reading and to pass examination in
the vernacular language.
216
FOR MISSIONARIES IX AFRICA 217
Books to be read:
1. Redemption of Africa, Volume II
2. Stevens' History of Methodism, Volume I
3. Theal's History, and Whitman's Geography of
South Africa
4. G. Harry Agnew, a Pioneer Missionary
THIRD YEAR
1 339. 1. Translate first fifty Psalms from ver
nacular
2. Translate into the vernacular a "First Reader"
3. Read in vernacular, "Journey to the King "
4. Ralston's Divinity, Part I, Books 4 and 5, and
Part II
5. Hopkins' Outline Study of Man
Books to be read:
1. Healing of the Nations
2. Clara Leffingwell, a Missionary, by Sellew
3. Stevens' History of Methodism, Volume II
FOURTH YEAR
f 340. 1. Translate into the vernacular a small
book. "The Dairyman's Daughter," suggested or
some other book as selected by board of examiners
2. Ralston's Divinity, Parts III and IV
3. Hurlbut's Biblical Geography
4. Fisher's Church History
Books to be read:
1. Stevens' History of Methodism, Volume III
2. Digest of Free Methodist Law
3. New Acts of the Apostles
4. Pilgrims' Progress in vernacular
CHAPTER VI
COURSE OF STUDY FOR MISSIONARIES IN
INDIA
FIRST YEAR
If 34 1. 1. Free Methodist Discipline
2. Sims' Helps to Bible Study
3. New Testament Study in Missions
Books to be read — in English:
1. Thoburn's Missionary Apprenticeship
2. Murdock's Indian Missionary Manual
3. Roberts' Fishers of Men
Books to be read — in Marathi:
1. The First Three Gospels
2. Genesis and Deuteronomy
3. Christianity and Hinduism Compared, by Pad-
manji
SECOND YEAR
U 342. 1. Ralston's Divinity, Part I, Books 1, 2
and 3
2. Wesley's Plain Account of Christian Perfectioh
3. First Half of History of India for High Schools
and Colleges, published by the C. L. S. of Madras
Books to be read — in English:
1. Stevens' History of Methodism, Volume I
2. Modern Apostles in Missionary By-ways
3. Arsenal, Part I
218
FOR MISSIONARIES IN INDIA 210
Books to be read — in Marathi:
1. The Gospel of John, Acts of the Apostles, and
Paul's Epistle to the Romans
2. Joshua to Esther
3. Arunodaya, by Padmanji
THIKD YEAB
If 343. 1. Ralston's Divinity, Part I, Books 4 and
5, and Part II
2. History of India, last half
Books to be read — in English:
1. Stevens' History of Methodism, Volume II
2. Wood's Perfect Love
3. Arsenal, Part II
4. Hinduism and Christianity Compared, by Rob-
son
5. Geography of India, by George Patterson
Books to be read — in Marathi:
1. I Corinthians to Hebrews
2. Job to Song of Solomon
FOURTH YEAR
If 344. 1. Ralston's Divinity, Parts III and IV
2. Hurlbut's Biblical Geography
Books to be read — in English:
1. Stevens' History of Methodism, Volume III
2. Digest of Free Methodist Law
3. New Acts of the Apostles
4. Arsenal, Part III
Books to be read — in Marathi:
1. James to Revelation
2. Isaiah to Malachi
3. "Pan Lakshat Kon Gheto"
CHAPTER VII
CENTRAL BOARD OF CONFERENCE
EXAMINERS
If 345. 1. There shall be a central board, con-
sisling of five members, on the uniform examinations
in the conference courses of study.
2. This board shall formulate rules and prepare
questions for examinations, and during the interim of
the general conference sessions shall have power to
settle all questions concerning the same, which are
not already settled by action of the general conference
or rulings of the bishops.
3. The board shall answer all questions concern
ing the course of study, through its secretary, whose
name and address shall be published in the combined
minutes for that purpose.
4. This board shall also be authorized in case any
book in the course of study shall go out of print to
supply its place with a book of similar character.
5. The general conference of 1915 elected the fol
lowing board: David S. Warner, president; J. LaDue.
W. B. Olmstead, F. E. Bennett, G. W. Griffith. The
board organized by electing W. B. Olmstead, secre
tary.
220
PART XII
APPENDIX
The matter contained in this appendix is deemed
of sufficient importance to warrant its publication
in this form. Some of it is taken from the general
conference journals, and is therefore the action of
the general conference, although not ordained as a
part of the Discipline. Other matters are inserted
because suggestive and convenient for reference, as
postoffice addresses, administrative boards, forms of
procedure, etc.
CHAPTERS
I. INCORPORATION
II. RESIDENCES, ADDRESSES, ETC.
III. ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS
IV. CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW BY THE GEN-
ERAL CONFERENCE
V. CONSTITUTION OF THE GENERAL
WOMAN'S FOREIGN MISSIONARY
SOCIETY
VI. FORMS
INCORPORATION
INCORPORATION OF THE FREE METHODIST
CHURCH
| 346. "An act to incorporate the Free Methodist
General Conference of North America, passed April
30, 1873."
The people of the state of New York, represented
in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:
1. The General Conference of the Free Methodist
Church of North America shall be, and is hereby de
clared to be, a corporate and politic body, by the name
and style of the HFree Methodist General Conference
of North America," and by that name it shall have
perpetual succession; shall be capable of suing and
being sued in any court whatever; and shall have and
use a common seal, which -they may alter and change
at pleasure.
2. It shall be lawful for the regular members of
said general conference, at its regular constitutional
meetings, to appoint such officers, and to make and
ordain such by-laws and regulations in relation to the
management and disposition of their real and per
sonal estate, the duties of their officers, and the man
agement of the corporate offices, as they shall think
proper; provided they are not inconsistent with the
Constitution of the United States.
3. The said corporation shall have power to hold
in trust church property, and deeds of other benefi
cent, educational or publishing institutions; and of
223
224 INCORPORATION
taking, holding and receiving any property — real or
personal or mixed — by virtue of any devise, bequest,
grant or purchase, subject to the restrictions and
limitations of existing laws; provided the annual in
come of such property shall not exceed the sum of
two hundred thousand dollars, and that the same shall
be appropriated to religious, charitable, missionary,
or educational purposes; and to sell, deed and convey
any real or personal property, when necessary to
serve the purposes of the corporation.
4. The officers of said corporation shall hold over
until their successors are elected and qualified, and
shall exercise such powers and do such duties as
shall be authorized by the by-laws of said corporation.
5. This act shall take effect immediately.
(1) The following named persons shall be the
trustees of the "Free Methodist General Conference
of North America," as provided for in the act of cor
poration, passed April 30, 1873, by the legislature of
the state of New York, to wit: J. Travis, J. G. Ter-
rill, John Ellison, J. L. Ward, O. P. Rogers, D. W.
Abrams.
(2) The said trustees shall have full power to take
possession of and to receive and hold, subject to
the order and direction of the general conference,
any property, real, or personal, or mixed, which may
be owned by or belong to the said general confer
ence, by virtue of any devise, bequest, grant or pur
chase.
(3) The said trustees shall be divided into two
classes, as follows, to-wit:
The first class shall comprise J. Ellison, J. L. Ward,
O. P. Rogers.
The second class shall comprise J. Travis, J. G.
Terrill, D. W. Abrams.
The first class, elected this year, shall hold their
INCORPORATION 225
office for four years, and until others are appointed
in tbeir places.
The second class shall hold their office eight years,
&iicl until others shall be appointed in their places.
(4) The said trustees shall elect their president,
secretary, and treasurer, who shall perform the duties
usually pertaining to their office.
(5) The said trustees shall make a full report of
all their proceedings to each successive general con
ference.
(6) If the place of any of these trustees shall be
come vacant during the intervals of a general con
ference, it shall be filled by the remaining trustees.
(7) Seal. — We recommend the procuring of a seal
Inscribed "The Free Methodist General Conference
of N. A."
(8) Form of bequest of money or other personal
property: "I give and bequeath to The Free Meth
odist General Conference of North America the sum
Of dollars, to be used and appropriated by that
body to religious, charitable, missionary or educational
purposes."
Real estate:
"I grant and devise (full description of the land)."
CHAPTEK II
RESIDENCES, ADDRESSES, ETC.
ft 347. Bishops
BURTON R. JONES, 1117 Park Ave., Alameda. California
WALTER A. SELLEW,
68 Falconer Street, Jamestown, New York
WILSON T. HOGUE, R. R. No. 2, Michigan City, Indiana
WILLIAM PEAKCE, Titusville, Pa.
•348. Publishing Agent
WILLIAM B. ROSE,
1132 Washington Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois
If 349. Editors
JACOB T. LOGAN, The Free Methodist,
1132 Washington Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois
DAVID S. WARNER, Sunday School Periodicals,
1132 Washington Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois
If 350. Corresponding Secretaries
JOHN S. MACGEARY, General Missionary Board,
1132 Washington Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois
WILLIAM B. OLMSTEAD,
General Sunday School Secretary, Secretary Central
Board of Conference Examiners.
1132 Washington Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois
MENDAL B. MILLER, Board of Education; Board of Con
ference Claimants,
1119 Elk Street, Franklin, Pennsylvania
1f35l. Treasurers
GEORGE W. SAUNDERS, General Missionary Board, Church
Extension Society, Board of Conference Claimants,
Bishops' Fund, Sunday-school Board, Board of Edu
cation, 1132 Washington Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois
LILLIAN CAMP JENSEN, General Woman's Foreign Mis
sionary Society,
1132 Washington Boulevard, Chicago, Illinois
f 352. General Conference Evangelists
E. BALLENGER, Shennndoah, Iowa
S. K. WHEATLAKE, Urhana, Illinois
A. D. ZAHNISER, 24 Secane St., Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania
W. B. OLMSTEAD, 1132 Washington Boul., Chicago, Illinois
226
\
CHAPTER III
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS
•"353. Trustees of the Free Methodist General Con
ference of North America
OFFICE : 215 MAIN STREET, JAMESTOWN, N. Y.
President, Walter A. Sellew
Secretary, Mendal B. Miller
Treasurer, George W. Sauuders
1. Term expires 1919
Burton R. Jones, Wilson T. Hogue, William Pearce
2. Term expires in 1923
Walter A. Sellew, Mendal B. Miller, David S. \Varner
H 354. Executive Committee
President, Burton R. Jones
Secretary, Mendal B. Miller
District Name and Class Conference
Burton R. Jones, Bishop Michigan
Walter A. Sellew, Bishop Pittsburgh
Wilson T. Hogue, Bisaop Genesee
William Pearce, Bishop Geuesee
1. Mendal B. Miller, Minister Oil City
B. L. Perkins, Lay Member Genesee
II. Albert Sims, Minister East Ontario
George B. Lambert, Lay Member Pittsburgh
III. David S. Warner, Minister Michigan
D. P. Morse, Lay Member East Michigan
IV. C. E. Harroun, Minister Oklahoma
J. M. Daniels, Lay Member Central Illinois
V. L. G. Lewis, Minister Kansas
C. I. Tenney, Lay Member Iowa
VI. Alexander Beers, Minister Washington
A. Verkuyl» Lay Member California
If 355. I. The foregoing members of the executive
committee and J. T. Logan, editor of the Free Meth
odist and a member of the New York conference, con
stitute the board of education. President of the
board, Wilson T. Hogue, Michigan City, Indiana.
2. The executive committee also constitutes the
board of conference claimants.
227
228 ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS
f 356. General Missionary Board
President, Walter A. Sellew
Secretary, John S. MacGeary
Treasurer, George W. Saunders
District Name and Class Conference
Burton R. Jones, Bishop....- Michigan
Walter A. Sellew, Bishop Pittsburgh
Wilson T. Hogue, Bishop Genesee
William Pearce, Bishop Genesee
I. H. L. Crockett, Minister Susquehanna
Grant C. Woods, Lay Member Genesee
II. William B. Olmstead, Minister Ohio
Alma L. Miller, Lay Member Pittsburgh
III. S. H. Porterfield, minister East Michigan
Peter White, Lay Member North Michigan
IV. John A. W>itson, Minister Wabash
Jacob Moyer, Lay Member Central Illinois
V. G. W. Griffith, Minister South Dakota
Thomas B. Arnold, Lay Member Illinois
VI. \Vilbur N. Coffee, Minister Oregon
E. A. Holtwick, Lay Meniber. . .Southern California
Mary L. Coleman, President
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society
Adelaide L. Beers
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society
Emma Freeland Shay
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society
Emma L. Hogue
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society
r 357. I. The members of the general missionary
board constitute the church extension society.
2. The general missionary board and the superin
tendents of the Gerry and Woodstock Homes consti
tute the board of charities and benevolences.
f 358. General Sunday-School Board
Jacob Moyer. President
J. B. Lutz, Recording Secretary
W. B. Olmstead, General Secretary
E. A. Holtwick
J. H. Whiteman
G. W. Griffith
L. G. Lewis
<T 359. Central Board of Conference Examiners
David S. Warner, President
William B. Olmstead, Secretary
John LaDue
Fred E. Bennett
George W. Griffith
CHAPTEE IV
CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW BY THE GENERAL
CONFERENCE
DECISIONS OF SUPERINTENDENTS
Approved by general conferences, and general conference
resolutions having the force of law.
From Journal of 1866
If 360. On Hop-Growing.— Resolved, That in our
opinion, the raising of hops for the general market
is a violation of the rule of Discipline prohibiting
"evil of every kind;" and also of the rule prohibiting
the "doing of what we know is not for the glory of
God."
U36I. On Missions. — Resolved, That the general
superintendents have charge of all missions outside
of the recognized bounds of the annual conferences.
1(362. Disapproval of Conference Action. — Re
solved, 1. That the action of the Susquehanna con
ference in passing a certain resolution on the use of
tobacco, be disapproved; the said conference having
transcended its powers in attempting to enact laws.
(The resolution referred to was passed by the Sus
quehanna conference of 1886, and read as -follows:
"Resolved, That if any of the preachers of this con
ference are known to indulge in the use of tobacco,
either by chewing or smoking, during the coming year,
they shall, at 'the next session of the conference, be
discontinued from the traveling connection.")
2. That the action of the Susquehanna conference,
229
230 COXSTRT'CTIONS OF LAW
in receiving a preacher into full connection after but
one year's trial, be disapproved.
1f363. Law Question: "Has an annual conference
authority under the Discipline to try a probationer
upon charges of immoral conduct?"
Conference voted nay, 12 to 5.
From Journal of 1870
If 364. On the Admission of Ministers. — It was de
cided by the president that as all the disciplinary ques
tions may be acted on at any time during the session
of an annual conference it is right to report ministers
received into full connection as having a seat in the
conference. On motion, conference sustained the de
cision. .
If 365. On Conference Resolutions. — No annual
conference shall pass resolutions or adopt reports
interpreting Discipline, and then hold any minister or
member to trial for violating such resolutions or
reports.
If 366. If complaints are made against a member,
involving immorality or a violation of our rules, he is
entitled to a speedy trial, unless said complaints are
otherwise disposed of.
If 367. No secretary of any annual conference has
a right to insert anything in the conference records
other than actual conference business.
If 368. Resolved, That we disapprove of the prac
tise of calling a quarterly conference together in any
other way than that prescribed by the Discipline.
From Journal of 1874
If 369. Resolved, That it is the sense of this con
ference that the rule of our Discipline, forbidding the
wearing of gold, applies to those who wear gold wed
ding rings.
CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW 231
\
From Journal of 1878
f 370. In the case of a layman, who was refused
admission as delegate to the New York conference;
it being claimed that he was not a member of the
church which elected him:
The president held that in the admission of a
delegate to which objection is made, an annual con
ference may inquire,
1. If the society meeting was held and the election
fairly conducted according to Discipline.
2. If the returns were correctly made.
3. If the person elected was eligible.
But the chair decided that each society has the
right to determine who are its members; that an an
nual conference has no right to decide who are or
who are not members of any particular society.
This decision was appealed from, and the con
ference voted not to sustain the chair — by 11 nays,
5 yeas.
This action was reported by the committee on con
ference records, of the general conference of 1878,
as a violation of Discipline. The report was adopted,
thus sustaining the decision of the president.
f37l. On Past Enactments, Resolutions, etc. —
Resolved, That all enactments, decisions and resolu
tions of the various general conferences, that are in
consistent with our Discipline, as revised by this gen
eral conference, are hereby repealed.
| 372. On the Membership of Probationers in An
nual Conferences. — The following questions were an
swered by B. T. Roberts at the Genesee conference,
1882:
1. Are preachers on probation in an annual con
ference still members of a society? Answer, No.
2. Should they be reported from the circuit as
local preachers? Answer, No,
232 CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW
3. Should their licenses be renewed by the quar
terly conference, as others? Answer, No. t
From Journal of 1882
|373. Women Eligible as Delegates. — B. T. Rob
erts decided at the New York conference that women
are eligible to election as delegates to the annual
conference. Approved.
f 374. The following questions were asked and an
swered :
1. If a preacher believes the Bible to be opposed
to women taking a part in the governmental affairs of
the church, and has not hitherto regarded the language
of the Discipline as admitting of the election of women
as delegates to the annual conference is he bound by
the action of this conference to rule that the Dis
cipline does now admit of it?
Answer— By President B. T. Roberts: It is my
opinion that he is.
2. Would it be maladministration of Discipline to
rule that it is not disciplinary to elect women as dele
gates?
Answer — In my opinion it would.
The general conference approved these answers as
correct.
If 375. Absent Delegates. — Resolved, That it is the
sense of this conference, that a delegate is not a mem
ber of an annual or a general conference until he is
present, and has presented his credentials.
If 376. Preserving Original Minutes. — Resolved,
That the secretaries of the several conferences be re
quired to keep the original or so-called rough minutes,
as approved by the conference, in a book to be pre
served with the journal.
CONSTRUCTION'S OF LAW 233
From Journal of 1886
f 377. The following questions were asked and an
swered :
1. If a certificate of membership be given a mem
ber of one of our churches, and that member shall, at
a subsequent time, present his certificate of member
ship to one of our churches in some other place, he
having, since the reception of the certificate, been
guilty of unchristian conduct, is the church to which
the certificate shall be presented obliged to receive
the certificate?
Answer — By President B. T. Roberts: It is.
2. When an annual conference organizes a cir
cuit and appoints a preacher to it, but the preacher
declines to travel it, and the chairman being unable
to supply it with another preacher, may he unite the
unsupplied circuit with an adjacent circuit without the
consent of the official board of the unsupplied circuit?
Answer — By President B. T. Roberts: I think he
could not.
3. When a preacher has been appointed to a cir
cuit, has the chairman a right to appoint said preacher
to the charge of another circuit while he retains
charge of the first?
Answer — By President B. T. Roberts: No. He
may add to the circuit, but cannot appoint a preacher
to two circuits at the same time.
1 378. The following question was asked at the
sixteenth session of the Kansas annual conference,
and was answered "by President B. T. Roberts; from
whose decision an appeal was taken to the general
conference of 1886, by which the decision of the presi
dent was unanimously sustained:
If a man in his sinful state be divorced from his
wife, but not on scriptural grounds, and she be mar
ried to another man, after which the divorced man
234 CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW
becomes converted and joins the church, do the facts
in the case as afore stated clear him in the eyes
of the law, the eyes of God and the eyes of our Dis
cipline, so that he has the right to marry again? The
president decided that in the case stated, the legal
divorce separates the man from his wife in the eyes
of the law, and that the subsequent marriage of the
woman separates the man from the woman in a scrip
tural sense; he is therefore entitled to a divorce on
scriptural grounds; but as he cannot obtain it, he
is in the sense of the scripture entitled to marry
again.
II 379. Resolved, That the reports adopted by the
annual conference should be kept on file and not
recorded in the journal, except the financial reports,
and such as may be recorded by "order of the annual
conference.
From Journal of 1890
| 380. Whereas, Conflicting decisions by the gen
eral superintendents in the intervals of the general
fonfcrence are liable to make divisions, and tend to
annoy and confuse the spirit of harmony among us,
therefore,
Kesolved, That when one of the general superin
tendents has rendered a decision on any point of law
in any annual conference, in a case which grows out of
the conference proceedings, said decision shall be the
rule in the case until the decision is reversed by the
general conference. See paragraph 403.
From Journal of 1894
II 38 1. An elder of the North Michigan conference,
having withdrawn from the church, was given a letter
by Superintendent Hart, stating that he had been an
ordained elder in the North Michigan conference, and
recommending him "to all Christian people." He
CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW 235
afterwards presented the letter to the same cpnfer-
ence, and Superintendent Coleman decided that he
could not be received on the letter — that he was out
of the church. The committee on general superin-
tendency recommended that the decision be approved.
The recommendation was adopted by the conference.
If 382. Law Question. — "Can the appellate court
go outside of the grounds of appeal as submitted to it
by the appellant?"
Answer by the Chair. — "In the decision, I would
say, It must confine itself to the grounds of the
appeal in the case. It is entitled, however, to all
that will throw light upon the appeal as presented."
f 383. "Does the Discipline make final the de
cision of the committee on appeals without approval
by the general conference when such committee ren
ders its verdict while the general conference that ap
pointed it is in session?"
Answer — "The Discipline makes the decision of a
committee on appeals final. There can be no appeal
therefrom."
f 384. At the close of the election of the general
superintendents, E. P. Hart moved, That it is the
sense of the conference that W. T. Hogue is entitled
to his seat and office as general superintendent until
the close of this session. Superintendent Coleman in
the chair decided that it would be proper to place the
newly-elected superintendent in the chair if the con
ference saw fit to do so. An appeaj was taken from
the decision, and the conference refused to sustain
the chair. W. T. Hogue was thus authorized to act
as superintendent until the final adjournment of the
conference.
U 385. Resolution. — In response to a memorial
from the Southern California conference in regard to
the wearing of neckties, the conference adopted the
following:
236 CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW
"It is the sense of the conference that this matter
is one concerning which 'every man should be fully
persuaded in his own mind,' and guided by his per
sonal convictions."
From Journal of 1898
Tf 386. The following question was asked at the
Susquehanna conference of 1897, and was answered
by President E. P. Hart, from whose decision an ap
peal was taken to the general conference of 189S:
"Is previous labor necessary before bringing
charges against a preacher belonging to an annual
conference?''
The president decided that no previous labor is
necessary in case of charges at the annual confer
ence, as that body has original jurisdiction over the
preachers composing it.
The decision of the president was sustained by the
general conference.
1f 387. The following questions were asked at the
Kansas conference of 1895, and were answered by
the president, B. R. Jones. An appeal was taken from
his decisions to the general conference of 1898:
1. "If a man obtains a divorce from his wife on
other than scriptural grounds and afterward marries
a woman who had obtained a divorce from her hus
band without scriptural reason, would the parties thus
divorced and remarried be entitled to membership
in the church?"
Answer — I think they would not.
2. "Is it a violation of Discipline for a minister
to receive a person into the church who has obtained
a divorce on other than scriptural grounds?"
Answer — In my opinion it is.
3. "Would the preacher receiving into the church
persons thus divorced be liable to the charge of mal
administration?"
CONSTRUCTIONS OF LATV 237
Answer — I think he would.
These decisions were approved by the general con
ference.
If 388. Resolved, That in no case shall the report
of the committee on ministerial relations be expunged
from the records of an annual conference without the
consent of the minister whose case had been under
consideration.
From the Journal of 1907
H 389. Quarterly Conference Relation of Preacher
Supplying in Conference Other Than His Own. —
The committee on examining quarterly conference
records presented the following appeal found on page
305 of the Chicago district records, Illinois confer
ence, reading as follows:
A question was raised as to whether C. B. Ebey
was a member of this quarterly conference. The dis
trict elder ruled that he was, by virtue of his being
pastor at Melrose Park. An appeal was taken from
this ruling by W. P. Ferries.
The president, Wilson T. Hogue, decided "that no
preacher in the Free Methodist church can be a mem
ber of two quarterly conferences at the same time.
As C. B. Ebey is a member of the Southern Cali
fornia conference, and, as such, has his quarterly con
ference relation fixed within that body, it follows that
he cannot be a member of any quarterly conference
of the Free Methodist church except his own." De
cision sustained.
1 390. Surrender of Parchments. — At the forty-
fourth session of the Genesee conference, an elder
requested a certificate of withdrawal from the confer
ence. The president, B. R. Jones, ruled "that he Was
entitled to a certificate of withdrawal only upon con
dition that he surrender his ordination parchments."
238 CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW
Approved by committee and adopted by the confer
ence.
1f39l. Only Annual Conference Empowered to
Render a Superannuate Effective. — At the annual ses
sion of the Genesee conference held in Buffalo, N. Y.,
September 5-9, 1906, in the case of Rev. William Man
ning, the president, W. A. Sellew, in answer to a
question raised, decided "that the appointment of a
superannuated preacher to a circuit on a charge 'by
the district elder, according to the Discipline, and
writh the consent and cooperation of the preacher,
made him effective. He cannot be superannuated and
effective at the same time. I decide that he has been
effective during the past year, and cannot draw his
superannuated allowance." Decision disapproved.
If 392. Ruling on a Question of Jurisdiction. —
At the Oil City conference in 1906 the committee
on claimants and claims submitted the following reso
lution in case of Mrs. H. D. W. Showers to the presi
dent for a decision:
Whereas, The application of Mrs. H. D. W. Show
ers, widow of the late Rev. A. C. Showers, has been
presented to the committee on claimants and claims;
and,
Whereas, At the time of his death Brother Showers
was a member of the Pittsburgh conference, and the
Oil City conference did not exist; therefore,
Resolved, That it is the sense of this committee
that the said application does not legally come before
this conference, and that we respectfully ask the chair
to render a decision upon this point.
General Superintendent Walter A. Sellew ruled
"that the application should not be presented to this
conference, but to the Pittsburgh conference." De
cision sustained.
^ 393. As to Right of Preacher in Charge to Vote
in Business Meetings of the Circuit. — At the session
CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW 239
of the West Iowa conference held in 1903 a question
was raised as to whether a preacher in charge has a
right to vote in the business meetings of his circuit.
The president, E. P. Hart, ruled that "he has a right
to vote in the official meetings, but not in the circuit
or society meetings." Decision sustained.
If 394. Forfeiting Conference Relation by With
drawal. — The Journal of the Texas Conference, page
236, shows that the name of M. M. Lowerys was
called, and he was reported to have joined the Meth
odist Episcopal Church South. Since doing so, how
ever, he had again united with the Free Methodist
church, by letter.
The chair ruled that in uniting with another church
he had forfeited his relation to this conference, and
that it would be necessary for him to come up by
regular process, if desirous of renewing his relation
with the conference. Decision sustained.
If 395. An Elder Withdrawn from Church and Con
ference May Not Be Received Back into the Confer
ence on His Ordination Parchments. — An elder in the
Illinois conference, who had withdrawn from the
church and conference and united with an organization
not giving letters of dismissal, and who had since
united with the Free Methodist church on probation
and was recommended for restoration to his former
conference relation on his ordination parchments, the
question was asked of the chair, "Can he be legally
received on the parchments aforesaid?"
The president, W. A. Sellew, rendered the follow
ing decision in the case: "If this elder had come to
us with a regular certificate of his standing as a
Christian minister from the church organization to
which he has belonged since he left us, we would be
warranted jn receiving him into full membership in the
conference, as he holds our ordination papers as an
elder. Now, as he cannot obtain such a certificate,
240 CONSTRrCTIOXS OF LAW
because of the refusal of this organization to give
such certificates, and not because of any fault or fail
ure of conduct on his part, I decide he may be received
into full membership in the conference on his ordina
tion papers, and by vote of this conference adopting
the resolution now before the conference." Decision
disapproved.
If 396. On Use of Instrumental Music in Sunday-
schools. — At the session of the New York conference
of 1903 the question was asked of the president, B. R.
Jones: "Is it a violation of the Discipline of the Free
Methodist church to use instrumental music in the
Sunday-schools of the church V. The president de
cided that it is. Decision sustained.
Recommendations, Resolutions, Etc.
Tf 397. South Africa Mission Conference. — At the
twenty-second sitting the committee on missions re
ported the following recommendations:
1. That the South Africa conference be continued
as a mission conference.
2. That this conference shall exercise all the
powers and prerogatives of an annual conference, ex
cept electing delegates to the general conference and
voting on constitutional changes.
3. That the conference shall not consider the re
quests made for appropriations from the funds of the
board. These shall be considered by the missionaries
in separate meetings.
4. The stationing committee of the conference shall
consist of the president of the conference, the district
elders, and as many missionary laymen as there are
district elders.
•5. That this conference for the present shall be
under the control of the general missionary board.
On motion the report was adopted.
If 398. Transfer of Membership by Missionaries to
Africa. — The committee on missions recommends the
CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW 241
following: "That we require all missionaries now on
the African field, or who may go to that field in the
future, to transfer their church membership to some
society on that field." Adopted.
1 399. On Reading Reports in Annual Confer
ence:
Resolved, That in the presentation of the reports
from the circuits at the annual conferences only the
items classified under the headings "Numerical,"
"Statistical" and "Church Property," need be read,
unless other items are ordered read by the conference.
Resolution adopted.
H 400. On referring cases to the committee on
ministerial relations it was resolved as follows: It
is the sense of this general conference that the char
acter of ministers shall not be referred to the commit
tee on ministerial relations, except in case of reported
unsoundness in doctrine or irregularities of life; and
that in all instances where the case is noticed in the
permanent records, such records shall show the na
ture of fhe offense, and the final disposition of the
case.
•J40I. Regarding the Excusing of Preachers from
Passing in the Courses of Study in Full. — The follow
ing resolution originated in committee on superin-
teudency, and was adopted by the conference:
"Whereas, We find numerous instances recorded
in various conference journals where persons have
been received on trial into the traveling connection
without having passed examination in the preliminary
course of stud}-, and admitted to full membership and
elected to deacon's orders without having passed ex
amination in the second year's course of study, and
in some instances of persons elected to elder's orders
who have not completed the fourth year's course of
study; and,
"Whereas, The practise referred to is a plain vio-
242 CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW
latiou of the Discipline, paragraphs 150. 151, 155,
156; therefore,
"Resolved, First, that this committee recommend
the general conference to express its disapproval of
such action on the part of the conferences involved,
and call upon them to discontinue such action in the
future. Second, that the honored bishops be, and
that they hereby are, instructed to inform all confer
ences where such action may be proposed in the future
that the contemplated action is illegal."
11 402. Right of an Elder Presiding in Conference
by Appointment of a Bishop to Transfer a Preacher.
— A question regarding this matter arose, and on mo
tion it was decided "that an elder acting as presi
dent of an annual conference by appointment of a
bishop, has authority to transfer a preacher into that
conference while so acting."
II 403. On Decisions of Bishops:
Resolved, That whenever a bishop shall decide upon
a point of law in an annual conference, which does
not grow out of the conference proceedings, he shall
immediately report the same to the other bishops, and
secure their approval or disapproval in writing. His
decision shall not be binding upon the other bishops
unless they are notified that at least two of them
have approved it in writing. The resolution was
adopted. See paragraph 380.
f 404. On Inserting Certain Items in an Appendix
to the Discipline. — The following was adopted:
"Resolved, That the editor, or editors, of the Dis
cipline be instructed to place as an Appendix to the
Discipline the following items: Names and addresses
of all of the general conference officers, the general
conference districts, the executive committee, the
general missionary board, the board of conference
claimants, the board of education, the board of church
.extension, construction of law by th" general confer-
CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW 243
ence, and the constitution of the woman's foreign
missionary society."
1f 405. On Woman's Auxiliary Missionary Board.
— The general woman's foreign missionary society
petitioned the general conference to give consideration
to the following:
"Resolved, First, that it is the sense of this body
that, there should be a woman's auxiliary missionary
board: second, that the executive board of the wo
man's foreign missionary society should be such
auxiliary board, before whom women candidates for
the foreign field shall pass first examination."
This was referred to the committee on missions,
which reported as follows: "Your committee recom
mends that we grant the foregoing request, and that
this auxiliary board shall consist of the three women
members of the general conference missionary board
and such others of the general officers of the woman's
foreign missionary society as may be present at their
annual meeting." The recommendation was adopted.
From the Journal of I9I I
1f 406. At the session of the New York conference.
September 14, 1910. Bishop TV. A. Sellew made the
following ruling:
"The committee on credentials asked the chair to
rule on the following question:
"If a majority of a society vote to move to a new
locality, and a minority part does not wish to remove
to that locality, which is the original society, the one
removing to the new locality or the part remaining
in the original place?
"The chair ruled that the majority part, moving
to the new location, constituted the original society."
Decision approved.
H 407. At the Ohio conference of 1908, the follow
ing ruling was rendered by Bishop B. R. Jones:
244 CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW
"A lady evangelist having been recommended by
the Toledo district quarterly conference as being
eligible to a seat in the annual conference, her case
was considered; but she being only a supply on the
circuit of which her husband was preacher in charge,
the president of the conference decided that she was
not entitled to a seat in the conference."
Decision approved.
If 408. At the Central Illinois conference, Bishop
Sellew presiding, a communication was received from
an elder stating: "I have returned to my old confer-,
ence, i. e., the Wisconsin. The Greenville district sent
me a certificate of good standing about a year ago.
Upon that certificate I have been received and given
work by the Wisconsin conference."
The secretary of the Greenville district stated that
the above certificate was issued before the last annual
conference.
The president of the conference ruled that the
above certificate expired at the time of the last ses
sion of the conference and is null and void.
Decision approved.
1 409. At the forty-ninth annual session of the
Genesee conference held at Ransomville, X. Y., Sept.
9-13, 1908, Bishop Walter A. Sellew rendered the
following decision:
Genesee Conference, a Decision of Law by Bishop
W. A. Sellew. — The committee on claimants and
claims reported through the president that the ques
tion had arisen as to how many years should be
counted as "active service," according to the Dis
cipline, in the case of a claimant in the conference.
The president was asked whether the six years that he
served the Orphanage and Home at Gerry, N. Y., as
manager, and the four years that he served the same
institution as financial agent, ten years in all, should
CONSTRUCTION'S OF LAW 245
be counted as years of "active service" in estimating
such claim.
The president, W. A. Settew, decided that they
were not to be counted, for the reason that they
were years in which he served the said institution by
a business contract made and entered into each year
in advance of the annual sitting of .the Genesee con
ference. That the Genesee annual conference had
nothing to do with that contract, either in making of
it or in fixing the nature of service required, or in
tixing the compensation; neither did the conference in
any way examine into or inquire about that service,
as to whether it was satisfactory or not. The whole
matter was a business proposition entered into by a
conference preacher and a corporation.
The fact that the name of the claimant appears in
the appointments of said conference as occupying
such a position only shows that the conference per
mitted him to retain his standing in the conference
after the contract was made, but such permission doos
not constitute sufficient authority for counting those
years so spent as years of "active service," according
to Discipline.
Decision disapproved.
1J4IO. Regarding the President of an Annual Con
ference Acting on the Committee on Ministerial Re
lations:
Whereas, It has occurred in some instances that an
annual conference has elected its presiding officer to
act on the committee on ministerial relations; and,
Whereas, The findings of such a committee may
call for the appointment of a trial court, at which
the president must preside; therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of this conference
that the election of a bishop on the committee on
ministerial relations in an annual conference is ex-
246 CONSTRUCTIONS OF LA"VY
( eedingly irregular, and for the bishop to act in such
( apacity is highly improper.
Adopted.
If 41 1. The following question was asked F. D.
Brooke while presiding at the Elgin district quarterly
conference in 1907:
"Is a person appointed by an annual conference as
a supply on a circuit the preacher in charge of that
circuit?"
Answer. "He may be. Page 37, paragraph 87 of
our book of Discipline, 1903, reads: 'A preacher may
be appointed to a circuit without having charge of
the same; in such cases the administration of the
circuit shall devolve upon the district elder and the
official board.' But there may be preachers who are
members of other conferences, and who are fully
fitted to administer circuits to which they may be
appointed as supplies. It is my opinion, therefore,
that a preacher appointed by an annual conference
to a circuit, as supply, is preacher in charge of that
circuit, unless the annual conference appointing him
shall specify in making such appointment that the ad
ministration of the circuit shall be fixed as provided
for in the paragraph above referred to.
"Freeborn D. Brooke, District Elder,
"Elgin district, Illinois conference."
"From the above opinion W. C. Willing appealed,
"George H. Behner, Secretary."
The president of the Illinois annual conference
rendered the following decision:
"I approve of the above decision.
"Walter A. Sellew.
"September 13, 1907."
Decision approved.
11 4 1 2. At the Kansas conference, August 27, 1909,
an appeal from the lola district was taken up. Upon
the records of the quarterly conference of the lola
CONSTRUCTIONS OF LAW 247
district the following appears under question 5, pages
11 r. nnd 116:
The name of Brother — - was called and it
was reported that he had been working with the Sal
vation Army, there being no Free Methodist society
where he lived (Parsons, Kan.) ; also that he had
joined the Salvation Army, and that at present he
wished his church relation to remain in the Free
Methodist church.
When he retired the district elder ruled that his
joining the Salvation Army severed his connection with
the Free Methodist church, and accordingly decided
that his case need not go on record.
The brother appealed from said decision to the an
nual conference to be held at Solomon, Kan., August
25, 1909.
The bishop (W. A. Sellew), upon hearing the ap
peal, made the following decision:
(1) "The president of the Kansas annual con
ference hereby decides that the Salvation Army is a
regular church organization and that a member of our
church who joins the Salvation Army severs his con
nection with the Free Methodist church. The de
cision of the district elder is therefore approved."
Decision approved.
(2) "But as the brother joined the Army under
a misapprehension, and now expresses a desire to
remain a member of the Free Methodist church, he
should be given a reasonable time, in which to sever
his connection with the Army. If he does so he may
retain his membership in the'^'ree Methodist church."
Decision disapproved.
H4I3. THE GENERAL WOMAN'S FOREIGN
MISSIONARY SOCIETY
Constitution
ARTICLE I
This organization shall be known as the General
Society of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society
of the Free Methodist Church of North America,
auxiliary to the General Missionary Board of the
Free Methodist church.
ARTICLE II
The object of this organization shall be to secure
systematic contributions for foreign missions, to dis
seminate missionary intelligence and to encourage
missionary effort in the Free Methodist church.
ARTICLE III
1. The general society shall be composed of the
general officers, its representatives on the general
missionary board, and one delegate from each confer
ence.
2. The president of this society shall be an ex-
officio member of the general missionary board.
3. The delegates are to be elected by their respec
tive conference societies at their annual session, im
mediately preceding the session of this society.
4. No person shall be elected as delegate to this
248
CONSTITUTION 249
society who is not a member of the Free Methodist
church, and an active member of the woman's for
eign missionary society.
5. No person shall be eligible to election as a
delegate to this society who is a delegate or reserve
delegate to the general conference of the Free Meth
odist church.
ARTICLE IV
The meetings of this society shall be held quad
rennially at the time and place of the general con
ference of the church, when a report of its operations,
conditions and prospects shall be presented. An elec
tion by ballot of general officers and representatives
on the general missionary board shall be held at
that time.
ARTICLE V
The officers of this society shall be a president, two
vice-presidents, corresponding secretary, recording
secretary, treasurer, editor of Missionary Tidings, and
superintendent of young people's and junior work.
ARTICLE VI
No person shall be eligible to office in this society
who is not a member of the Free Methodist church,
and an active member of the woman's foreign mis
sionary society.
ARTICLE VII
The general officers together with the representa
tives on the general missionary board shall consti
tute a general executive committee who shall admin
ister the affairs of the organization and have full
power to transact business in the intervals of the
quadrennial meeting. Five of these officers shall con
stitute a quorum.
2CO WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY
ABTICLE VIII
The general executive committee shall meet an
nually at the time and place of the meeting of the
general missionary board.
ARTICLE IX
The president shall appoint one member of the
executive committee as home missionary secretary,
who shall labor in the interest of home missions and
report annually to the executive committee.
ARTICLE X
There shall be an advisory board of three members,
elected by this society.
ARTICLE XI
No methods of raising money or of conducting meet
ings shall be adopted by this society which are nor
in harmony with the Discipline of the Free Methodist
church.
ARTICLE XII
Five per cent, of the funds of this society shall
be reserved as a contingent fund and deposited in a
savings bank.
ARTICLE XIII
1. There shall be a home department of the
woman's foreign missionary society under the super
vision of the officers of the woman's foreign mission
ary society.
'2. A meeting shall be held quarterly in each local
society, and a collection taken for home missions,
and forwarded through the regular channels to the
general treasurer of the woman's foreign mission
ary society.
3. All such money, sent to the treasurer, shall
CONSTITUTION 251
be kept as a separate fund to be appropriated at the
discretion of the general society in cooperation with
the general missionary board.
4. Any local woman's foreign missionary society
desiring to do other home missionary work may do
so by using money raised for that purpose, such work
to be reported to the corresponding secretary.
ARTICLE XIV
This constitution may be altered or amended at
any quadrennial meeting by a two-thirds vote of those
present and voting.
CHAPTEE VI
H4I4. FORMS
APPLICATION FOB PERMISSION TO SELL OB MORTGAGE
• t- CHUBCH PROPERTY OF THE FREE METHODIST
CHURCH
Name of Circuit. .
Questions to Be Answered
. . District
Conference
1. Has the society given authority to the trustees
to sell or mortgage the property?
2. What are the reasons for selling or mort
gaging?
3. What disposition of the proceeds of the sale
or mortgage is intended?
4. Is the title a warranty deed? If not,
what is the character of the title?
5. Is the property deeded "to the society in its
corporate name," or to individual trustees? (See
paragraph 237. )
6. Does the deed contain the following trust
clause: "In trust for the use and benefit of the
membership of the Free Methodist Church of North
America, etc."? See paragraph 238
252
FORMS 253
7. Is there a reverting clause in the title?
8. Give the names of the trustees and their ad
dresses
9. Give description of the property to be sold
or mortgaged. Number of lots or acres of ground:
character of buildings, frame, stone or brick; size;
condition, good or bad
10. Give legal description of property to be sold
or mortgaged
11. Estimated value
12. What amount is expected to be realized by
the sale or mortgage ?
*13. I approve of the sale, mortgage as proposed.
Preacher in Charge
Address
District Elder
Address
Soc. of Official Hoard
Address
* Cross off "sale" or "mortgage" as the case may
require.
254 FORMS
CONSENT TO SALE OF CHURCH PROPERTY
The Executive Committee of the Free Methodist
General Conference of North America, incorporated
in New York state, being the legal representative body
of the Free Methodist Church (denomination), for
a valuable consideration received from ,
the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do here
by release all right, title, interest or claim that they
may have in or to the property described below by
reason of any trust clause that may be in the deed of
said property.
Description:
They also hereby give their consent to the trustees
selling said property and giving proper deed for same.
In witness whereof the said corporation has caused
this instrument to be signed by the secretary of its
executive committee, and sealed with its corporate
seal this day of , 19 ....
State of
ss.
County of
On the day of , in the year
one thousand nine hundred and , before me
personally came , to me known,
who, being duly sworn, did depose and say that he is
the secretary of the Executive Committee of the Free
Methodist General Conference of North America, the
corporation described in and which executed the
above instrument; that he knew the corporate seal of
FORMS 255
said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instru
ment was such corporate seal; that it was so affixed
by order of the executive committee of said corpora
tion, and that he signed his name thereto by like
order.
RECOMMENDATION FOB EXHORTER'S LICENSE
This certifies that is hereby recommended
by the Free Methodist Society at , of which
he is a member, as a suitable person to receive
Exhorter's License in the Free Methodist Church.
Done at a Society Meeting held at , on
the day of ,19
President.
Secretary.
EXHORTER'S LICENSE
This certifies that is authorized to offi
ciate as an Exhorter in the Free Methodist Church
for one year, provided his spirit and practise are
such as become the Gospel of Christ, and his teach
ings correspond with the established doctrines of the
Holy Scriptures as held by said church.
Done by order of the Official Board of the
Circuit, Conference.
Done at , this day of , 19
President.
Secretary.
RENEWAL OF AN EXHORTER'S LICENSE
The license of as an Exhorter in the Free
Methodist Church is hereby renewed for one year,
subject to the requirements of the Discipline.
Signed by order of the Official Board of
256 FORMS
charge, of the District, of the
Annual Conference, this day of
19....
President.
Secretary.
RECOMMENDATION FOB LICENSE TO PREACH
We, the members of the Official Board of
charge, District, hereby recommend
as a suitable person to be licensed as a
Local Preacher in the Free Methodist Church.
Done at an Official Board meeting held at
this day of , 19 . . . . , and by order
and on behalf of said Official Board.
President.
Secretary.
LOCAL PREACHER'S LICENSE
This certifies that is authorized to officiate
as a Local Preacher in the Free Methodist Church
for one year, provided his spirit and practise are such
as become the Gospel of Christ, and his teachings cor
respond with the established doctrines of the Holy
Scriptures as held by said Church.
By order of the Quarterly Conference of the
District, Conference.
Done at this day of ,
19....
President.
Secretary.
RENEWAL OF LOCAL PREACHER'S LICENSE
This certifies that the license of as a
Local Preacher in the Free Methodist Church is
FORMS 257
hereby renewed for one year, subject to the require
ments of the Discipline.
Done by order of the Quarterly Conference of
District, Annual Conference, in
session at , this day of ,
19....
President.
. .Secretary.
RECOMMENDATION FOR ORDERS
This certifies that is hereby recommended
by the Quarterly Conference of District
to the Annual Conference as a proper
person to be ordained according to the
provisions of the Discipline, he having served for
four consecutive years as a local preacher (or
deacon).
Done by order of the Quarterly Conference of
District, this day of ,
19
President.
. .Secretary.
RECOMMENDATION FOR ADMISSION TO ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
This certifies that , a local preacher, and
member of the Quarterly Conference of Dis
trict, is hereby recommended as a suitable person
to be admitted on probation in the traveling connec
tion of the Free Methodist Church.
Done by order of the Quarterly Conference of
District, Annual Conference, in
session at , this day of ,
19....
President.
Secretary.
258 FORMS
ANNUAL CONFERENCE CERTIFICATE — ADMISSION ON
TRIAL
This is to certify that Rev , the bearer,
a regularly licensed local preacher, has this day
been received into the Annual Conference
of the Free Methodist Church as a traveling preacher
on trial, and he is hereby authorized to act in that
capacity according to the Discipline of said Church,
provided his spirit and practise are such as become
the Gospel of Christ, and his teachings correspond
with the established doctrines of the Holy Scriptures
as held by said Church.
Done at its annual session, held at , the
day of , 19
.- President.
Secretary.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE CERTIFICATE ADMISSION ON
TRIAL
This is to certify that , the bearer,
a regularly licensed evangelist, has this day been re
ceived into the Annual Conference of the
Free Methodist Church as a traveling preacher on
trial, and .... is hereby authorized to act in that
capacity according to the Discipline of said church,
provided .... spirit and practise are such as become
the Gospel of Christ, and .... teachings correspond
with .the established doctrines of the Holy Scriptures
as held by said church.
Done at its annual session, held at , the
day of , 19
President.
Secretary.
FORMS 259
CERTIFICATE OF STANDING
This certifies that , an ordained '. .,
is in good standing and of general acceptability in
the Conference of the Free Methodist
Church, and is granted this certificate with a view
of being transferred to the Conference.
Done by the said Conference at
the day of , 19
'. President.
, . . Secretary.
[The following must be filled out by one of the Gen
eral Superintendents before it is received.]
I hereby transfer to the Con
ference. When .... shall have been received by vote
of said Conference, or by consent of the
Distract Elders of the same, .... relation to the
Conference shall cease.
Bishop.
A certificate granted by an annual or quarterly con
ference expires at the following session of the annual
conference.
CERTIFICATE OF LOCATION
This certifies that , an Elder (or Deacon)
in good standing in the Annual Confer
ence of the Free Methodist Church, is given this
Certificate of Location at .... own request (or having
been left without appointment by vote of said An
nual Conference two years in succession).
Done in annual session at , this
day of , 19
President.
Secretary.
260 FORMS
QUARTERLY CONFERENCE EVANGELIST'S LICENSE
This certifies that is authorized to offi
ciate as an Evangelist in the Free Methodist Church
for one year, provided h . . . spirit and practise are
such as become the Gospel of Christ, and h. . . teach
ings correspond with the established doctrines of the
Holy Scriptures as held by said church.
By order of the Quarterly Conference of the
District, Conference.
Done at , this day of
19....
. .President.
. Secretary.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE EVANGELIST'S LICENSE
This certifies that is authorized to offi
ciate as an Evangelist in the Free Methodist Church
of North America, so long as h. . . spirit and practise
are such as become the Gospel of Christ, and h...
teachings correspond with the established doctrines
of the Holy Scriptures as held by said church.
By order of the Annual Conference of
the 'Free Methodist Church.
Done at , this day of
19 ...
President.
. Secretary.
LAY DELEGATE S CREDENTIALS
This certifies that was duly elected as a
Lay Delegate to represent the Circuit at
FORMS 261
the session of the Annual Conference to
be held at , commencing on the
day of , 19 . . . . ; and that was
duly elected as Reserve Lay Delegate for the same.
Done at the Annual Circuit Meeting held at
, on the day of , 19 ....
President.
Secretary.
RECOMMENDATION FOB THE RESTORATION OF
PARCHMENTS
To the President and members of the
Annual Conference, to be held at
commencing on the day of , 19
We, the members of the (Quarterly or Annual)
Conference, hereby recommend the restoration of the
parchments of , he having been .received as
a local preacher on the Circuit (or ad
mitted on trial in the said Annual Confer
ence).
Done in the regular session at , this' day
of 19. . . ., and signed by order and in be
half of the said . . Conference.
President.
, Secretary.
[NOTE. — The foregoing recommendation should be pre
sented to the conference having the custody of the for
feited parchments, or to which the candid'ate belonged
when the parchments were forfeited.]
262 FORMIC
ANNUAL CONFERENCE DEACONESS* LICENSE
This certifies that . . , of is here
by duly authorized to officiate as a Deaconess in
the Free Methodist Church of North America. This
license is good for one year from date hereof.
By order of the Annual Conference of
the Free Methodist Church.
Done at this .... day' of , 19. ...
President.
Secretary.
INDEX
The figures standing alone refer to the numbers of the para
graphs. Those in parentheses, to the divisions of said para
graphs.
Accredited charitable institutions, 269 (6)
ADDRESSES
Bishops, 347
Corresponding secretaries, 350
Editors, 349
Evangelists, 352
Publishing agent, 348
Treasurers, 351
Administration, Judicial, 179-213
Administrative boards, 353-359 — See Boards
ADMISSION — See Reception, Members, Conferences
Into church membership, 74-78
Into annual conference, 150-152, 172 (3, 4)
ADVICES, SPECIAL
Chapter on, 63-73
Smaller, to preachers, 136
Temperance, 63-65
On marriage and divorce, 66-70
Dress, 71
Secret Societies, 72, 73
Africa, South, mission conference, 123-125, 397
AGENT, PUBLISHING
Election of, 94
Duties of, 270 (2, 3)
Name and postofflce address of, 348
Assistant, election of, 102 (2), 270 (4)
Publishing agent. may nominate, 102 (2), 270 (4)
Assistant, duties of, 270 (5)
Aggressive evangelistic work, 119
Allowance — See Salary, Stewards, Support
Amusements, worldly, prohibited, 12
Annual conferences, number of, 107, 271-313
See Conferences
APPEAL
General conference not to abolish privilege of, 61 (3),
62, 97 (3)), 98
263
264 INDEX [Appeals
Can not be denied, 61 (3), 97 (3)
Court of, 103, 126 (5), 191, 201, 207
Of traveling preachers to general conference, 191
Of local preachers to annual conference, 201
Of members to quarterly conference, 207
Duties of quarterly conference, 126 (5), 207
Of members, 'how forfeited, 207
Grounds of, to be settled, 182 (6)
Who disqualified to sit on, 182 (5)
May be referred to committee, 190, 192
President of court of, 103 (1), 159 (8), 190
While pending, penalty suspended, 193
While pending, ministerial office not exercised, 193
APPEALS, TRIERS OP
General conference, 191-193
Executive coonimittee, 103 (1)
Annual conferenc/e, 201
Quarterly conference, 207
APPENDIX
Contents, 346-414
To discipline ordered, 404
APPOINTMENTS
Of district elders, 160 (12-17)
Of traveling preachers, with limitations, 114
Preacher may be left without, 116
Of local preachers, 169
Of general evangelists, 94
Of evangelists by annual conference, 121
By district elder, restriction, 160 (10)
By evangelists, 172 (8)
APPROPRIATIONS — See Support
Of mission funds, 257, 262 (3)
Of claimants' funds, 115, 230
Of educational funds, 246 (1)
Arbitration in insolvencies and disputes, 209-213
Articles of organization and government, 47-62
Articles of religion, 16-38
Attendance upon ordinances of God, 45
AUXILIARY
Conference church extension board, 268
Woman's missionary board, 405
BANDS
W'ho may organize, 175 (1)
Who may become members of, 175 (1)
Rules to be approved by annual conference, 175 (2)
Under direction of whom, 175 (3)
Who may be licensed as band workers, 175 (4)
Boards] INDEX 260
BAPTISM
Article concerning, 33
Modes of, 315 (1)
No charge for administering, 315 (2)
Ritual for lufauts and adults, 316, 317
BENEVOLENT COLLECTIONS
Report of to annual conference, 122 (17)
For educational purposes, 248
Claimants, 219-226
General missions, 257, 265 (2)
Annual conference mission fund, 268 (4)
Foreign missions, 265 (1)
For Sunday-school work, 254
BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS
Board of education. 245-248
Sunday-schools, 249-254
General missionary board, 255-262
Church extension, 267, 268
Board of charities and benevolences, 269
Bequests, Form of, 346 (8)
Bible, Article concerning, 20
BISHOPS
How chosen, 55, 94
Term of office begins, 55
Names and postofflce addresses of, 347
Support of, 214
Call extra session of general conference, 54 (2), 90
To preside in general conference, 55, 93
To preside at annual conferences, 159 (8)
Appoint president of annual conference, 110 (1), 402
May change appointments, 159 (5, 6)
To travel at large through the connection, 159 (1)
To raise money for superannuated fund, 222 (2)
To oversee spiritual and temporal interests, 159 (2)
Call committee to investigate preacher, 186
To ordain deacons and elders, 155 (1). 156 (1)
To decide questions of law, 159 (8)
Resolution concerning decisions of, 403
Missionary, 56. 04
BOARDS
Administrative boards, 353-3o9
Trustees of general conference, 353
Executive committee, 100-104
General missionary, 255-262
F/dueation, 245-247
Conference claimants, 218-231
Charities and benevolences, 269
266 INDEX [Books
General church extension, 267
Conference ctourch extension, 268
General Sunday-school, 249
Local Sunday-school, 252
Central, of conference examiners, 345
Wio man's auxiliary missionary, 405
Official, 128, 129
Conference evangelistic, 119
BOOKS
Bad, not to be read, 43
Canonical, of the Scriptures, 20
• To be supplied to societies by preachers, 161 (5)
Borrowing without probability of paying, 43
Boundaries of annual conference, 271-313
Boundaries, disputes, how settled, 314
Bribery at elections forbidden, 146 (6)
Budget system recommended, 216 (5)
BUYING AND SELLING
Buying and selling of slaves, 43
Of goods with duty unpaid, 43
On the Lord's day, 43
Using many words, 43
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
Ritual for, 321
No charge for allowable, 321
BUSINESS
Failure In secular, 209-213
Meetings on circuit, may preacher vote in, 393
Call to preach, examination concerning. 134
Camp meetings, held by quarterly conference, 126 (5)
CANDIDATES FOE MEMBERSHIP
Reception on trial, 74
Reception into full membership, 75-77
CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY
Reception on trial, 150
Reception into full membership, 151
Canonical books of tfhe Bible, 20
Catalogue of societies, 161 (9)
Central board of conference examiners, 345
CERTIFICATE
Transfer of membership, 79
Pastors to receive and dismiss members. 161 (1)
Form of to preacher transferring. 414
Form of in case of preacher locating, 414
Form of to preacher received on trial, 414
Who are entitled to receive, 79 (3)
Who are not entitled to receive, 79 (4)
Church] INDEX 207
Form of in Joining another denomination, 79 (5)
Membership while holding certificate, 79, toot-note
Limit 9f. 408
CHALLENGE FOH CAUSE
Privilege of in all cases granted, 182 (3)
Validity of determined by presiding officer, 182 (8)
Character of ministers examined, 122 (14)
CHARGES — See Complaints-
Church trials, 179-208
Annual conference may try, etc., 189
Law concerning, 185-188, 197, 199
Form of procedure, 194, 195
CHARGES, PASTORAL
Two or more may be united, 377 (2)
Article on, 47
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS
Board of charities and benevolences, 269
Names of accredited institutions, 269 (6)
Chicago, location of publishing house in, 270 (1)
CHILDREN
Duty of instructing, 151 (14), 251 (1-3)
May be baptized, 75, foot-note
Ritual for baptism of, 316
Children's Day, 248 (2), 251 (5)
Ohoir Singing, prohibited in public worship, 10, 81 (6)
CHRIST
Article on divinity and humanity, 17
Article on resurrection, 18
Articles on sacrifice, 17, 34, 35
Christian men's goods, article on, 37
Christian man's oat/h, article on, 38
CHURCH
Article on, 31
Article regarding rites and ceremonies of, 36
Free Methodist, doctrines of, 16-38
Free Methodist, origin and character, 1-14
Free Methodist, articles of religion, 16-38
Free Methodist, incorporation, 346
CHURCHES— See Deeds and Trustees
Church property, chapter on, 232-244
Erection of, 244
Incorporation and Deeds of, 237-243
Not to be built on leased land, 244 (3)
Not to be liable for current expenses, 241
To be built plain, 244 (1)
Executive committee to furnish plans for, 244 (4)
To be without debt, 244 (2)
268 • INDEX [Church
Form for dedication of, 324
To be under care of pastor, 230
All seats in church buildings free, 13, 238
CHURCH EXTENSION
Church extension board, general, 267
Church extension and aid society, conference, 268
Application for aid to board, 268 (6, 7)
Reports, annual, 267 (3), 268 (5)
Church finance — See Benevolent Collections, Stewards,
Support
Churc'h literature, pastors to supply, 161 (5)
CHURCH PROPERTY
Chapter on, 232-244
• Trustees, appointment and duties of, 232-236
Conveyance of to conform to law and Discipline, 238
Erection of churches, 244
Sale of churches, 242, 243, 414
Abandoned, to be sold, how, 243
Not to be encumbered for current expenses, 241
Ohurch record, to be kept, 161 (6)
Church trials, 179-208— See Trials
CIRCUITS
Charge of, 114, 118, 160 (1)
Representation of in annual conference, 106
May be divided by district elder, 160 (11)
May be united, 377 (2)
Must pay expenses of district elder, 160 (3)
T# be supplied during conference, 162
Under care of district elder, 118
Under care of official board, 118, 128 (3, 4)
May request removal of pastor, 160 (7)
CIRCUIT MEETING
Chapter on, 130, 131
Circuit shall have, 130 (li
Notice of, 130 (1)
Business of, 130 (1-4)
Order of business, 131
When only one society, may elect, 130 (3)
Elect trustees when society is extinct, 233
Special, how called, 130 (5)
CLAIMANTS
Chapter on, 218-231
Who are, 221 (1)
Allowance, 221 (2), 222, 223, 225
Allowance to, by whom estimated, 115, 221 (2), 409
Committee on, 115
Fund, how raised, 219
INDEX 269
Fund, disbursed by board of claimants, 230
Allowance to be paid semi-anuually, 222 (3)
Necessitous eases, 226
On providing houses for, 227
Blanks for applicants, 224
CLAIMS
Pledged, 75 (7)
Where payable, 79 (2)
CLASSES AXD CLASS-MEETINGS
Section on, 83-85
Origin of, 39, 41
Purpose of, 83
Organization of by preachers in charge, 161 (12)
Attendance on required, 75, 85
Neglect of, how to deal with, 85
General, when held, 81
To be visited by preacher in charge, 161 (13)
CLASS LEADERS
Chapter on, 176
When and how appointed, 176 (1)
Qualifications of, 161 (3)
Duties of, 41, 83, 176 (2-5)
Improper, how changed, 176 (4)
Members quarterly conference, 126 (1)
Members official board, 128 (1)
To be examined by preachers, 161 (3)
Course of reading for, 336
Collections— See Support, Missions, Claimants, Educa
tion, Church Extension
Colleges, 247 (4)
COMMITTEKS
On ministerial relations, referring cases to, 400, 410
On trial of preachers, 186, 187, 190
On trial of members, 202, 204, 207
On claimants and claims, 115
On appeal cases, 182 (5)
On investigation of debts, 212
On estimating preacher's salary, 216 (1)
In general conference, 94, 192
In annual conference, 114, 115, 1V>0, 333
In quarterly conference. 198, 199
Communion cups recommended. 318
COMPLAINTS, GROUNDS FOR — Sec Charges
Unscriptural conduct. 182 (1), 184
Violation of general rules, 46
Neglect of duties, 85. 184, 1S6. 202
Sabbath breaking, 146
270 INDEX [Communion
Evil speaking, 146
Conformity to the world in dress, 71, 146
Disseminating false doctrines, 184
Unscriptural divorce, 69, 70, 378, 387
Bribery, 146
Unwarrantable contraction of debts, 146
Non-payment of debts, 43, 146, 212, 213
Insolvency and fraud, 161 (21)
Inefficiency or want of usefulness, 189
Abandoning wort, 18G
Smuggling, 43, 146 (5)
Communion — See Lord's Supper
Community of goods, article on, 37
CONFERENCE, ANNUAL
Chapter on, 105-122
Names and boundaries of, 271-313
Members of, 105, 370r 375
Appoint time and place of meeting, 109
President of, 159 (8)
Elect president pro tern, 110 (1)
Elect secretary who is custodian of records, 110 (2)
Elect treasurer, 110 (3)
Elect Sunday-school secretary, 250
Elect delegates to general conference, 51, 52, 87-89
Elect and appoint district elders, 113, 160 (13, 14)
Elect lay members of the stationing committee, 114
Elect to deacon's orders, 122 (6), 155 (1)
Elect to elder's orders, 122 (7), 156 (1)
Deliberations, mode of, 112
Division of,.ihow effected, 159 (7)
Under regular questions, 122
Auxiliary board, church extension, 268
Call extra general conference, 54 (2), 90
Appoint committee on claimants and claims, 115
Organize evangelistic board, 119
To appoint committee on charities,- 269 (8)
Vote on changes of Discipline, 62, 98
Admit preachers on trial. 122 (3), 150
Admit preachers into full membership, 122 (5), 151, 152
Term of probation in, 151, 362 (2)
Examine character of preachers, 122 (14)
License and appoint evangelists, 172 (2)
Admit evangelists to membership, 172 (4)
Locate preachers, 116, 117, 122 (8), 157, 189
Superannuate preachers, 122 (10), 164
Make superannuate preachers effective, 189, 391
Place on supernumerary list, 122 (9), 163
Conference] INDEX 271
May leave a preacher without an appointment, 116
May declare preacher withdrawn, 154
Shall appoint auditor, 110 (4)
Try and expel preachers, 184-193
Grant certificates of transfer, 159 (6)
Receive reports of missionary board, 259 (1)
Receive statistical reports, 122 (17-23), 161 (6), 399
Receive and appropriate missionary funds, 266
Raise claimants' fund, 122 (21), 226-231
Raise funds for church extension, 268 (4)
Hear appeals from quarterly conferences, 190. 201
Recording reports of, 379
Effect of law decisions in, 380
Not authorized to make law, 362
Permit withdrawal of preachers, 122 (12)
Not authorized to try probationers, 363
Cannot decide who are members of a society,_3iO
Withdrawal from forfeits relation to, 394, 395
Women eligible as delegates to, 373
Women may be admitted, 120, 172 (4)
Women may be ordained deacon, 120, 172 (3)
Organization of new, members necessary, 159 (7)
CONFERENCE CLAIMANTS
Who are, 221
Collections for, 122 (21), 220, 226, 228, 231
Permanent fund for, 220
Conference examiners, central board of, 345
CONFERENCE, GENERAL
Chapter on, 86-99
Organization and government, 50-62
Members of, 50-52, 87, 88
Delegates to, how elected, 51, 52, 89
Time of meeting, 54 (1), 91
Credentials, 53
Quorum, 59, 92
Expenses of entertainment, 99
Extra sessions, 54 (2), 90
President, 55, 93, 159 (8)
Deliberations and division of house, 60, 96
Powers and restrictions of, 61, 97
Elects bishops and other officers, 55-57, 94
Elects, directs and reviews board of trustees, 346
Elects members of executive committee, 58, 94
Elects publishing agent, 57 (1), 94
Elects members of missionary board, 58, 94, 261
Missionary districts of, 260
Elects editors for official publications, 94
272 INDEX [Conference
Legislation, past acts of, rescinded, 371
To try appeals, 192
Review decisions of bishops, 159 (8)
Form new conferences, 49, 159 (7)
Incorporation of, 346
Form of bequest to, 346 (8)
CONFERENCE, QUARTERLY
Chapter on, 126, 127
Members of, 126 (1)
Article on, 48
Times and places of meeting, 126 (2)
President of, 126 (3), 198
Secretary of, 126 (4)
Not to be called irregularly, 368
Duties of, 126 (5)
May hear complaints and try appeals, 126 (5), 207
May grant second arbitration, 210
To hold camp- meetings, 126 (5)
May grant and renew local preacher's license, 172 (1)
May grant evangelist's license, 172 (1)
Recommend preachers to annual conference, 126 (5)
Recommend local preachers for orders, 166, 167
Recommend evangelists to annual conference, 172 (2)
Approve appointment of district elders, 160 (15)
Receive pastor's report of Sunday-schools, 251 (4)
Relation of preacher outside his conference, 389
Special sessions, :how called, 126 (2), 160 (15)
Conference, South Africa Mission, 123-125, 397
Constitution of General W. F. M. S., 413
Constructions of law, 360-412
Conversation. 43, 86, 135, 138 (5)
Conveyance of church property, 242, 243
Corresponding secretaries, 350
Counsel for accused members, 182 (2)
Course of reading for class leaders, 336
COURSES OF STUDY
For traveling preachers, 325-329
Examination of preachers required, 155 (1), 156 (1)
Excusing from disapproved, 401
For local preachers, 330-333
Examination of local preachers required, 126 (6), 333
For evangelists, 172 (1), 330-333
Method of examining evangelists, 331
For deaconesses, 334, 335
For South Africa conference, 337-340
For missionaries in India, 341-344
Covetousness, 161 (19)
Decisions] INDEX 273
CREDENTIALS OF ORDINATION
Entitled to receive, \Mhen, 152 (2)
Forfeited, how restored, 196 (1, 2)
Surrender of, in case of withdrawal, 154, foot-note, 390
In case of refusal to surrender, 196 (3)
From minister of another church, 152
DEACONESSES
Chapter on, 174
Age and of good report, 174 (1)
Calling, duties of, etc., 174
Members of quarterly conference, 126 (1), 174 (10)
Shall report annually, 174 (7)
Amenability, 174 (1)
Garb of, 174 (8)
Must pass examination, 174, (6, 11), 334, 335
How recommended for license, 174 (3,\4), 132 (3)
Office of, not perpetual, 174 (0)
Spiritual qualification, 174 (2)
DEACONS
When and how constituted, 122 (6), 155 (1), 166
Women may be, 120
Authority of, 155 (2)
Local, duties of, 168
Suspension of, 157, 184, 186-189
Ritual for ordination, 323
DEBTS
Not to be improperly contracted, 43
Preachers to be free from, 151 (17)
Preachers not to involve circuit in, 244 (2)
Disputes concerning, 209-213
DECISIONS
Of bishops, have force of law, 380, 403
Of bishops, notification of to be given, 403
Of bishops, subject to appeal, 159 (8)
Who shall decide as to membership in church, 370
Eligibility of women as delegates, 373
Ministers being enrolled as soon as admitted, 364
Church relationship of preachers on trial, 372
The validity of a letter of withdrawal, 381
Refusal to seat a woman regularly elected, 374
Church' letter held by unworthy person, 377 (1)
Uniting circuits by district elders, 377 (2)
Appointment of preacher to two circuits, 377 (3)
Cases of divorce. 378, 387
Courts going outside grounds of appeal. 382
Finality of decisions of courts of appeal, 383
274 INDEX [Dedication
Expiration of term of bishop, 384
General conference, on missions, 361
Annual conferences trying probationers, 363
Annual conferences enacting law, 362 (1)
Shortening probation of preachers, 362 (2)
Letters to members going to other churches, 79 (5)
Conference resolution not having effect of law, 365
Members withdrawing, not joining any church, 79 (4)
Speedy trials of accused members, 366
Interpolations of secretaries in minutes, 367
Calling of quarterly conferences, 368
Application of rule concerning gold, 369
Effect of new legislation on old, 371
A delegate who is not enrolled, 375
Preservation of rough minutes, 376
Reports adopted by annual conference, 379
Conflicting decisions of bishops, 380
Ministers uniting with other churches, 154
The wearing of neckties, 385
A supply having charge of a circuit, 411
Cannot retain membership in two churches, 412
Dedication of churches, form for, 324
Deeds, incorporation, 237-243
DELEGATES, GENERAL CONFERENCE
Members of, 50, 87
Basis of representation, 51 (1), 52 (1), 88
Method of electing, 51 (2), 52 (2), 89
Expenses of, how met, 159 (9), 99 (1)
Absent, not counted, 375
DELEGATES, ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Lay, members of, 105
Basis of representation in, 106
Women eligible as, 373
Absent, not counted, 375
Ministerial and lay vote separately, 89
Lay representation on stationing committee, 9, 114
Lay representation on claimants' committee, 115
DENOMINATIONAL FUNDS
Conference claimants, 219, 220, 228
Educational, 246 (1, 2), 248
Missions, 257-259, 262 (3, 4), 264
Annual conference missionary fund, 266
Church extension, 267, 268
Children's fund, 248 (2)
Bishop's salaries, 214
Permanent fund, 220, 227
Deportment at conferences, 86
Drunkenness] INDEX 275
Desire of salvation evidenced, 43-46
Diligence enjoined, 135
Disagreement in business, arbitration, 209-213
DISCIPLINE, FREE METHODIST
Contains doctrines and form of government, 15-62
Must be kept by probationers, 74
Must be kept by members, 75
Must be kept by preachers, 135
Must be enforced, 46, 146, 100 (2)
Dishonesty, 209-213
Dismissing members by certificate, 161 (1)
Disobedience in neglect of appointment, 157
Disorderly and will not be reproved, 129 (6)
Disputes, settlement of by arbitration, 209-213
Dissemination of false doctrine, 184
DISTRICTS, ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Annual conference divided into, 113
District elder over, 113
Supervision of by district elder, 160 (1)
Districts, general conference missionary, 260
DISTRICT ELDERS — See Elders
Chapter on, 160
How appointed, 160 (13, 14)
Duties of, 160
Term of office, 160 (12)
Jurisdiction of, 160 (16)
May be traveling or stationed, 9, 160 (13, 14)
Vacancy in office of, how filled, 160 (15)
Suspension of, 187, 188
Call committee to suspend preacher, 187
How supported, 160 (18), 215
Quarterly conference, relation to, 160 (17)
May hold official, circuit, or society meeting, 160 (6)
On employing a rejected preacher, 160 (10)
May divide circuit, 160 (11)
Diversions, improper, 43
Division of conference, how effected, 159 (7)
Divorce and marriage of divorced persons. 66-70
DIVORCED PERSONS
Preachers shall not officiate at marriage of, 70
Decisions concerning, 378, 387
Doctrines of church, 16-38
Doing no harm, doing good, 43, 44
DRESS
General rule, 43
Chapter on, 71
Drunkenness, 43, 63-66
276 INDEX [Economy
^
ECONOMY, TEMPORAL
Economy of time, preachers, 147
Support of effective ministers, 214-217
Support of conference claimants, 218-231
Church property, 232-244
EDITORS
How elected, 57 (1), 94
Names and postoffice addresses, 349
Of Free Methodist, member board of education,
245 (2), 355 (1)
EDUCATION
Chapter on, 245-248
Board of, 245, 246
Incorporation of board. 245 (3)
Board to recognize conference auxiliaries. 246 (3)
Board shall publish annual report, 246 (5)
Board shall appoint committee to investigate, 246 (4)
Board shall adjust differences, 247 (3)
Duties of pastors concerning, 248
Educational funds, 246 (1, 2)
Educational institutions, 247
ELDERS
How constituted and ordained, 156
Probation for ordination as, 156 (1)
Duties of, 156 (2)
Suspension of, 187
Appeal of, 191
Are under annual conference jurisdiction, 189
Eligible to election as bisihops, 55. 94
May be members of the executive committee, 100
Eligible as delegates to general conference, 51 (2), 88
Eligible as presidents pro tern, 55. 93, 110 (1)
Appointed president may transfer preacher, 402
Eligible to election as district elders, 113
Form for ordaining. 322
Local, 'amenability of, 168
Employers must not discriminate in favor of labor
unions, 73 (2)
ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION
Article on, 28
By the Holy Ghost, 10
Experience of insisted on, 7, 75 (2), 151 (4)
Estimating Allowances — See Support
Equal rights, 9
EVANGELISTIC BOARD
Appointed by annual conference, 119
Duties of, 119
Exporters] INDEX 277
EVANGELISTS
Chapter on, 172
Course of study for, 330, 331, 172 (9)
Membership in official board, 128 (1)
District elders may act as, 160 (5, 18)
Women, admitted to annual conference, 172 (3, 4), 407
Evidence in church trials. 195 (6-11)
Evil speaking, 43, 135, 146
EXAMINATION
Of character, 122 (14), 127 (23)
Of persons called to preach, 134
Of preachers received on trial, 150
Of preachers received into full membership, 151
Of traveling preachers required, 155 (1), 156 (1)
Of local preachers, 106, 330, 331
Of local preachers who wish to be ordained, 332, 333
Of local preachers required, 126 (6), 333
Of evangelists, 172 (1, 9), 330, 331
Of deaconesses, 335, 174 (11)
Of missionaries in Africa, 337, foot-note
Examiners, Central board of, 345
Exclusion for neglect of means of grace, 46, 202
Excusing ministers deficient in studies disapproved, 401
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chapter on, 100-104
How constituted, 58, 94, 100
Members of, 354
Quorum, 101
Court of appeals, 103 (1), 191
President of, 103 (1)
May change time and place of holding general con
ference, 54 (1)
Fills vacancies in general conference offices, 102
Is board of conference claimants, 103 (3), 355 (2)
Decides questions of law, 103 (2)
Keviews irregularities, 103 (2)
Settles disputes about boundaries, 314
Authorizes formation of new conferences, 159 (7)
Provides for bishops' salaries, 214
May elect assistant publishing agent, 103 (3)
May elect treasurer of general conference, 57 (1), 94
Provides plans for church buildings, 244 (4)
Supervises publishing interests, 104
EXHOKTEHS
How licensed, 129 (6)
Are members of official board, 128 (1)
Are members of quarterly conference, 126 (1)
278 INDEX [Expulsion
EXPULSION— See Penalties
Of members, 202-207
Of local deacon or elder, 197-201
Of member of annual conference, 189
Restoration of expelled member, 208
Failure in business, 209-213
FASTING
Enjoined, 45
Recommended, 151 (16)
Quarterly, 161 (20)
Preceding annual conference, 122
Preceding general conference, 99 (2)
Feeding the hungry, 44
Fellowship, 75 (7), 149
FOREIGN MISSIONS
Chapter on missionary work, 255-266
General missionary board, 255-262, 356, 357
Woman's foreign missionary society, 413
Form for dedication of churches, 324
FORMS
Chapter on, 414
Of articles of incorporation, 346
Of bequests, 346 (8)
Of certificates of membership, 79
FORMS OP PROCEDURE — See Order of Business
For church trials, 194, 195
Frauds, 161 (21)
Free Methodist— See The Free Methodist
Free seats, 13, 97 (2), 238
Free Will, article of religion, 23
Full membership— See Membership
Funds— See Denominational Funds
Future punishment, 7, 29
General conference, 50-62, 86-99 — See Conferences
General conference missionary districts, 260
GENERAL MISSIONARY BOARD
Section on, 255-261
Name and objects, 255
How constituted. 58, 94
Members of, 261, 356
Directors of, their duties, 262
Secretary, 263, 356
Treasurer, 264, 356
Woman's auxiliary, 405
Is church extension society, 267, 357 (1)
Jewelry] INDEX 279
Is board of charities, 269 (1), 357 (2)
Shall meet annually, 256 (1)
Fixes amount for superannuated missionaries, 221 (2)
Moneys of to be deposited, 264
GENERAL RULES
Division on, 39-46
Subscribed to, 74 (2), 75 (6), 151 (6)
Must be enforced, 46, 161 (11)
Must be read, 161 (16)
How changed, 62, 98
General Sunday-school secretary, 249 (5), 350
Gold not to be worn, 8, 43, 75 (4)
Gold wedding rings forbidden, 369
Good works, article of religion, 25
Goods of Christians not common, 37
Government — See Discipline
Grace, gifts and usefulness proof of call to preach, 134(2)
Grace, means of, 32, 45, 138
Historical statement, 1-14
Holiness — See Sanctification
Holy Ghost, believed in, 10, 19, 75 (1)
Holy Scriptures, 20, 21, 45
Holy Trinity, 16
Hop Growing, 360
IMMORAL CONDUCT, ACCUSATION OF
In case of traveling preacher, 187
In case of local preacher, 199
In case of lay member, 202
Form of charge, 194
Inefficient traveling preachers may be located, 116, 189
Incarnation of Christ, article on, 17
INCORPORATION
Of general conference, articles of, 346
Churches, 237-243
Trustees, 232-236
Individual communion cups recommended, 318
Infant baptism, 316'
Insolvency, rules against, 161 (21), 209-213
Institutions, 245-270— See Boards
Intoxicating liquors forbidden, 43
ITINERANCY
Bishops, 9, 94, 158, 159 (1)
District elders, 113, 160 (13-15)
Traveling preachers, 97 (2), 114
Jewelry forbidden. 8, 4.3, 75 (4), 369
280 INDEX [Journal
Journal — See Minutes
Judicial administration, 179-213
Jurisdiction, ruling on, sustained, 392
Justification, articles on, 24, 25, 27, 28
Labor, with offenders, 46, 179, 180, 184, 202
LABOR UNIONS
Open organization not opposed, 73 (1)
Objectionable unions described, 73 (1)
Membership in, prohibited, 73 (1), 161 (21)
Employers must not discriminate, 73 (2)
LAW
Moral, binding upon all Christians, 21
Going to law with brothers forbidden, 43
Appeals from decisions on, 159 (8)
Constructions of law by general conference, 360-412
Lay delegates to general conference, 52, 87-89
Lay delegates to annual conference, 49, 105, 100
Lay delegation, 61 (2), 97 (2)
Lay helpers, 165-178
LAYMEN
Have equal powers with preachers, 9, 60. 96, 112
Members of executive 'Committee, 100
Members of general conference, 9, 52, 87
Members of annual conference, 9, 105, 106
Members of stationing committee, 9, 114
Leaders, class, 41, 83-85, 176 — See Class Leaders
LICENSES
Of local preachers, 126 (5)
Of evangelists, 126 (5), 172 (1)
Of deaconesses, 174 (1-6)
Of exporters, 129 (6)
Forms for, 414
Liquors, intoxicating, forbidden, 43
LITERATURE
Societies to be supplied with, 161 (5)
Of Sunday-school, how selected, 250 (7), 252 (5)
Local deacon, 155, 157
Local elder, 156, 157
Location of general conference, 54 (1), 91
Local preachers, 165-171 — See Preachers
LOCATION OP PREACHERS
By annual conference, 153. 122 (8)
For inefficiency. 116, 153 (2)
Certificate, form for, 414
LORD'S SDPPER
Article of religion on, 34
MlMlonary] INDEX 281
To be received, 45, 138 (3), 151 (7)
Unfermented wine to be used, 64
Individual communion cups recommended, 318
To be administered by elders, 156 (2)
Deacons may assist at, 155 (2)
Stewards to provide elements for, 178 (10)
Order of its administration, 318, 319
Love-feasts, to be held, 82, 161 (4)
Magistrates, not to be spoken evil of, 43
MARRIAGE
Chapter on, 66-70
Performed by ordained ministers, 155 (2), 156 (2)
Form of solemnizing, 320
Means of Grace, 45, 138
MEETINGS
Class — See Classes and Class-meetings
Official, 128, 129
Society, 132, 133
Circuit, 130, 131
Quarterly, to be held, 160 (5)
General quarterly, to be held, 160 (4), 126 (2)
MEMBERS
Reception of, 74-78
To be received and dismissed by preacher, 161 (1)
Amenability and trial of, 202-208
Duties of, 43-46
Of another church joining ours in a body, 77
How reinstated, 78
Shall pay their conference claims, 161 (13)
MEMBERSHIP
Basis of representation in general conference, 50, 88
Of local preachers, 168, 170
Transfer of by certificate, 79, 161 (14)
Transfer of by missionaries to Africa, 398
Methodical employment of preacher's time, 147
Ministers — See Preachers
MINUTES
Original to be preserved, 376
Of annual conference to be examined, 110 (2)
Of quarterly conference to be examined, 126 (4)
Mission, South Africa, conference, 123-125, 397
Missionary bishop, 56, 94
Missionary Board — See General Missionary Board
Missionary Society, Woman's Foreign, constitution of, 413
Missionary work, chapter on, 255 266
282 INDEX [Missions
MISSIONS
Chapter on, 255-266
General conference missions, 122 (17)
Duties of preachers in charge, 265
Music
Instrumental prohibited in churches, 10, 81 (6)
Instrumental may not be used in Sunday-schools, 390
Sacred to be cultivated, 81 (3)
New trial, remanding for a, 182 (7)
Oath, a Christian man's, 38
Oblation of Christ, 35
Obedience to Discipline, 46, 74 (2), 75 (6), 151 (6-11)
OFFICIAL BOAUD
Chapter on. 128, 129
How constituted, 128 (1)
Order of business, 129
Consent to change of preachers, 159 (5)
Appoint committee on salary, 216 (1)
Call in district elder, 160 (3)
Recommend that member be reinstated, 78
How extra meetings may be called, 160 (3)
Old Testament, Christian's relation to, 21
ORDER OF BUSINESS
Annual conference, 122
Quarterly conference, 127
Official board, 129
Circuit meeting, 131
Society meeting, 133
Sunday-school board, 252 (7)
Order of public worship, 80 — See Worship
Orders, two, ministers and laymen, 51, 52, 60, 89, 96, 112
Orders, recognition of, 152 (2)
ORDINATION
Of elders, 322
Of deacons, 323
Recognition of, 152 (2)
Organization and government, articles of, 47-62
Origin and character of Free Methodist church, 1-14
Original sin, article on, 22
Orphans of preachers to be supported, 221-223, 225
Parchments — See Credentials of Ordination
PARENTS
Baptism of children of, 316
When woman may marry without consent of, 68
Preachers] INDEX 283
PARSONAGES <
To be built without debt, 244 (2)
Not to be on leased land, 244 (3)
Not to be liable for current expenses, 241
Pastors, or preachers in charge — See Preachers
Pastoral charges, 47, 377 (2, 3)
Pastoral visiting, 142-147, 161 (13)
Periodicals, church, 122 (20)
PENALTIES
Reproof, 184, 202
Putting on probation, censure, 202
Suspension, location, 180-190, 198, 199
Denial of society and sacraments, 46, 182 (8)
Expulsion, 184. 198, 202
Permanent fund, 220, 227
POOR
Special efforts for. 41 (3), 44, 129 (6)
Duties of stewards, 178 (3)
Postoffice addresses of church officials, 347-352, 353
Prayer, 45, 136, 138 (1, 2), 162
Prayer meeting, 162
PREACHERS, LOCAL
How licensed, 126 (5), 127 (13)
Members of class, 168
Members of official board, 128 (1)
Members of quarterly conference, 168
Amenability, 168
Eligibility to orders, 127 (24), 166, 167
May supply work, 170
Pastors to oversee. 169
Trial of, 198-201
Appeal of, 201
Membership, wihen supplying, 170
Course of study for, 330-333, 171
PREACHERS, Sn-EUANNfATED — See Claimants
Relation defined, 164
Relation fixed by annual conference, 115, 164
Members of annual conference, 105
How supported, 115, 122 (17, 21)
The allowance for, 222
Quarterly conference, relation of, 164
Made effective by annual conference, 391
PREACHERS, SUPERNUMERARY
Relation defined, 163
Relation fixed by annual conference, 163
Members of annual conference, 105
Quarterly conference, relation of, 163
284 INDEX [Preac&eri
PBEACHEBS, TRAVELING
The call to preach, 134
Of the marriage of, 135
On trial, how received, 150
On trial, church relationship, 372
On trial, how long continued, 151, 155 (1)
On trial, not eligible as delegates, 130 (2)
On trial, amenability of, 126 (5), 168, 197
In full membership, how admitted, 151
Permanent members of annual conference, 49
Forms for ordaining, 322, 323
Course of study for, 325-329
Stationing committee to fix appointments. 9, 114
Amenability of, 189, 122 (14)
How received from other churches, 152
May be transferred how, 122 (11), 159 (5, 6)
May be declared withdrawn by annual conference, 154
Received, changed, etc., how, 159 (4, 5), 160 (7)
Members of quarterly conference, 126 (1)
Members of official board, 128 (1)
Rules for conduct of, 135, 136
Qualifications of, 137, 138
Voting in business meetings on circuit, 393
Duties of and directions to, 161, 162
Use of time, 147
Necessity of union, 148
Deportment at conference, 86
Where and how to preach, 139-141
Pastoral visiting and fidelity, 142-147
To discourage improper marriages, 66, 67
Solemnizing marriage of divorced persons, 69, 70
Preside at official meeting, 128 (2)
Preside at circuit meeting, 130 (1)
Preside at society meeting. 132 (2)
Call extra circuit meeting, 130 (5)
Hold watch-night services, love-feasts, etc., 161 (4)
Preach out of doors, etc., 161 (13)
Have charge of the pulpit, 236
Enforce discipline, 46, 67, 71, 161 (11)
Duty as to classes and leaders, 161 (3, 13), 176 (1, 4)
Duty as to Sunday-schools, 251
Give certificates of membership, 79, 161 (14)
Take up all conference collections, 161 (13), 99 (1)
Raise missionary money, 265
Keep local preachers employed, 169
Duty 'as to church property, 161 (17, 18), 236, 244
Appointed without having charge of circuit, 118, 411
Recommendations] INDEX 285
Cannot be appointed to two circuits, 377 (2, 3)
Support of, 41 (3), 216
Trial of, 184-195
Appeal of, 97 (3), 103 (1), 191-193
If restored must give legal satisfaction, 154
PREACHING — See Worship
Directions concerning. 139-141
Preamble to constitution, 15
Probation, reception on, 74
Probation, members may be placed on, as penalty, 202
PROBATIONERS
How admitted to church, 75
How admitted to annual conference, 150
How admitted to full membership, 151
In conference, not eligible to act as delegates, 130 (2)
In conference, not members of societies, 372 (1)
Prohibition — See Temperance
Public worship — See Worship
PUBLICATIONS, DENOMINATIONAL — See Books
Free Methodist paper, 122 (20)
Tract distribution, 161 (13)
Furnished by the publishing house, 270 (1)
Publishing agent — See Agent
PUBLISHING HOUSE
Chapter on, 270
Site of, how changed, 104
To furnish blanks, 224
Headquarters of board of education, 245 (3)
To make appropriation to claimants' fund, 219
Punctuality, rules for preachers, 135
Quarterly conference — See Conferences
QUARTERLY MEETING
Circuit, to be held by district elder, 160 (5)
General, district elder to hold four annually, 160 (4)
General, quarterly conference to be held, 126 (2)
Raising money, modern expedients prohibited, 11
Reading of unprofitable books forbidden, 43
RECEPTION OF MEMBERS
On probation, 74
Into full membership, form for, 75
From other evangelical churches, 77
May be reinstated, 78
Recognition of parchments given by other churches, 153
RECOMMENDATIONS
For exporter's license, 173 (3)
286 INDEX [Recording
Local preacher's license, 129 (7)
Traveling preacher's license, 150
For deacon's orders, 106
For elder's orders, 167
For evangelist's license, 172 (1-4)
For deacouess'ig license, 174 (1-6)
Baud workers, 175 (1)
Recording secretary of official board, 128 (3)
Reinstating members who withdrew, 78
Religion, personal, family, 142-146
Repentance, grant of not to be denied, 27, 46
Repentance, preacher to bring sinners to, 135
REPORTS
Of general conference board of trustees, 346 (5)
Of missionary board, 259 (1)
Of board of education, 246 (5) - ,
Of conference Sunday-school secretary, 250 (6, 8)
Of district elders to bisbops, 100 (9)
Of preachers to quarterly conference, 161 (7)
Of preachers regarding Sunday-schools, 251 (4)
Preachers to annual conference, 122 (17-23), 161 (6),
399
Of preachers to societies, 161 (8)
Of preachers to successors, 161 (10)
Of trustees to societies, 234
Reproof, ' preacher's, just, loving, plain, speedy, 135
Representation in general conference, basis of, 51, 52, 88
Representation in annual conference, basis of, 106
Residences and addresses of church officials, 347-353
Restoration of credentials, 196
Restrictive rules, 61, 97
Restrictive rules, how altered, 62, 98
Resurrection of Christ, article on, 18
Retaliation forbidden by general rules, 43
Rites and ceremonies of churches, article on, 36
RITUAL
Baptism, 315-317
Lord's Supper, 318, 319
Solemniziqg matrimony, 320
Burial of the dead, 321
Ordination of elders, 322
Ordination of deacons, 323
Dedication of churches, 324
RULES — See General Rules
For a preacher's conduct, 135, 136
Restrictive, 61, 97
Restrictive, how altered, 62, 98 •
Sin] INDEX 287
Sabbath, desecration of forbidden, 43'
SACRAMENTS
Article on, 32
Baptism, article on, 33
Baptism, ritual for, 315-317
Lord's Supper, article on, 34
Lord's Supper, ritual for, 318, 319
Salaries of church officials — See Support
Salvation, sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for, 20
SANCTIFICATION
Article on, 28
By the Holy Ghost, 10
Experience of insisted on, 7, 75 (2), 151 (4)
Schools, Free Methodist, 247
Scriptures, sufficiency of, article on, 20
Scriptures to be searched, 45, 138 (2), 143
Seal, general conference, 346 (7)
Seats in churches to be free, 13, 97 (2), 238
Secret societies, 72, 73
SECRETARY
Of general conference, 95
Of general missionary board, 263, 356
Of board of education, 350
General Sunday-school, 249 (5), 350
Conference Sunday-school, duties of, 250
Of board of conference examiners, 345 (5), 350
Of annual conference, duties, 110 (2), 111, 367, 376
Of quarterly conference, duties of, 126 (4)
Of circuit meeting, 130 (1)
Of society meeting, 132 (2)
Of official board, election and duties of. 128 (3)
Secretaries, corresponding, names and addresses of, 350
Self-denial, 44, 138 (4, 5)
Seminaries, list of, 247 (4)
SERMONS, SPECIAL
Various, 146
On Christian education, 248 (1)
To the children, 251 (2)
On Sunday-schools, 251 (1)
On practical charity, 269 (7)
On dress, Wesley, to be read, 71 (1)
On evil speaking, Wesley, to be read, 146 (2)
SICK
Preacher to be informed of, 41, 178 (4)
Preacher to visit, 161 (13)
Official board to look after, 129 (6)
Sin, articles of religion on, 22, 27
288 INDEX [Singing
SINGING, CONGREGATIONAL
Enjoined, 10, 81
Competent leaders to be appointed, 81 (4)
Cultivation of sacred music enjoined, 81 (3)
Free Methodist hymnal to be used, 81 (7)
Slavery, 43
Smuggling forbidden, 43, 146 (5)
SOCIETY
United societies, in general rules, 39, 40
Local, denned, 132 (1)
Admission into, 42, 74-77
Powers of, 132 (3), 133, 370, 406
May restore expelled members, 208
May reinstate members who withdrew, 78
Organized near boundary line, 108
Woman's foreign missionary, constitution of, 413
SOCIETY MEETING
Chapter on, 132, 133
May constitute the circuit meeting, 130 (3)
Order of business, 133
Son of God— See Christ
South Africa Mission Conference, 123-125, 397
Speaking in tongue people understand, article on, 30
SPECIAL ADVICES
Chapter on, 63-73
Temperance, 63-65
Marriage and divorce, 66-70
Dress, 71 ,
Secret societies, 72, 73
Labor unions, 73
STATIONING COMMITTEE
How chosen, 9, 114
President of, has casting vote, 114
Duties of and limitations of, 9, 114
Who are eligible to act on, 114
Statistics of annual conferences, reports of, 122 (16-24)
Statistics to be supplied by preachers, 161 (6)
STEWARDS,
Chapter on, 177, 178
Number of and how elected, 177 (2, 3)
Qualifications of, 177 (1)
Duties of, 178, 216 (4)
Are members of official board, 128 (1)
Are members of quarterly conference, 126 (1)
Study, courses of — See Courses of Study
SUNDAY -SCHOOLS
Chapter on, 249-254
Support] INDEX 289
How established, 251 (1), 250 (2)
Duties of pastors concerning, 251
Number and amount raised for, to be reported, 251 (4)
May not use instrumental music, 396
Superintendent of, bow elected, 132 (3), 253
Superintendent may be nominated by pastor, 253
Superintendent member official board, wien, 128 (1)
Superintendent member quarterly conference, 126 (1)
Offering for Sunday-sdhool work required, 254
Christmas service, how provided, 252 (6)
Proper outings provided for, 252 (6)
SUNDAY-SCHOOL BOARD
General board, 249
Time of meeting of general board, 249 (2)
Duties of general board, 249 (2, 3)
Expenses to be paid, 249 (4)
Members of general board, 249 (5), 358
Local board, 252
Local board, how constituted, 252 (1)
Duties of local board, 252 (3-7)
Meetings of when /held, 252 (1)
Order of business for, 252 (7)
SUNDAY-SCHOOL LITERATURE
Editor of, how elected, 57 (!}, 94
Supply of for schools, 252 (5), 250 (7)
SUNDAY-SCHOOL SECRETARY
General, elected by general board, 249 (5), 350
Conference, duties of, 250
Superannuated— See Preachers and Claimants
Supernumerary — See Preachers
SUPERINTENDENTS
Of Sunday-schools, bow elected, 132 (3), 253
Member of official board, when, 128 (1)
Member of quarterly conference, when, 126 (1)
May nominate teachers, 252 (3)
Supererogation, works of, article on, 26
SUPPLY
Traveling preacher employed as, relation of, 389
Local preacher or evangelist engaged as, 170
To transfer mem her ship, when, 170
SUPPORT
Of gospel, wrong means for, 11
By class contributions, 41 (3), 83 (1), 178 (1), 216 (3)
Of bishops, 214
Of district elders, 215
Of preachers In charge, 216
Of pastors, official board to. estimate for, 216 (1)
290 INDEX [Surrender
Of local preachers in some cases, 162
Of evangelists, 217
Of missions, 257, 265, 266
Of superannuated preachers, 218-231
Of widows and orphans of preachers, 221, 223, 225
Of evangelists by conference board, 119
Tithing system recommended, 161 (19), 216 (5)
Budget system recommended, 216 (5)
Surrender of parchments, 196 (3), 390
Suspension of traveling preacher, 187-189
Suspension of local preacher, 199
Swearing, article on and general rule on, 38, 43
TEMPERANCE
General rule on, 43
Special advice, 63-65
In all things, 138 (5)
TEMPORAL ECONOMY — 'See Support
Church property, 232-244
Testimony of members at a distance, 79 (2)
THE FREE METHODIST
Editor of, how elected, 57 (1), 94
Copies of taken, to be reported, 122 (20)
Time, improvement of by preachers, 135, 147
TIME LIMIT
For preachers, 114
Exception to, 114
Not to be abolished by general conference, 97 (2)
Tithing recommended, 161 (19), 216 (5)
Tobacco, rule on, 43, 75 (6)
Tract distribution, 161 (13)
TRANSFER — See Certificate
Of church membership, 79
Of conference membership, 122 (11, 13), 159 (6)
Transubstantiation, doctrine of unscriptural, 34
Traveling expenses of district elders, 160 (3)
Treasure, laying up on earth forbidden, 43
TREASURER
Of the general conference, election of, 57 (1), 94
Of general conference trustees, 353
Of the church funds,. 351
Of the board of education, name and address of, 351
Custodian of educational funds, 248
Woman's foreign missionary society, 351, 413 (5)
Of annual conference, election of, 110 (3)
Vacancy, how filled, 110 (3)
Annual report of, 122 (17-23)
Of Quarterly conference, 126 (4)
Trials] INDEX ' 29]
TREASURER OF GENERAL MISSIONARY BOARD
Election of, 256 (1)
May be c'hosen outside the board, 256 (1)
Duties of, 264
Name aud address of, 351
Vacancy in office of, how filled, 256 (2)
To disburse funds subject to the board, 257, 262 (3, 4)
TRIALS, CHURCH
Chapter on, 179-208
Objects of, 179-181
Privilege of not to be abolished, 61 (3), 97 (3)
By an impartial committee guaranteed, 61 (3), 97 (3)
Accused member entitled to speedy, 366
Of an accused member, 202-206
Who shall preside at trial of member, 206
Election of committees for, 204, 205
Notification, 203
TRIALS OP LOCAL PREACHERS
Section on, 197-201
By quarterly conference or committee, 197, 198
Presiding officer, 198
Suspension of, 199
Change of venue, 183, 200
Appeal of, 201
Of probationers in annual conference, 197
TRIALS OF TRAVELING PREACHERS
Section on, 184-195
Grounds of complaint, 184
Disciplinary labor with, 184
To be furnished with charges ten days before, 185
Suspension of between conference sessions, 186-188
Annual conference has original jurisdiction over, 189
May be before committee appointed by conference, 190
Right of appeal guaranteed, 191
Appeal, may be tried by executive committee, 103 (1)
May be tried by general conference or referred by
it to special committee, 192
Secretary, appointment and duties of, 182 (4)
General directions. 182, 183
The rule given by Christ obligatory, 180
When previous labor is not required, 189, 386
Absence from, 189. 207
Penalty suspended pending hearing of appeal, 193
Shall not exercise ministerial office. 193
Form of bill of charges against, 194
Order of conducting trial, 195
Restoration of credentials, 196
INDEX [Triers
TRIERS OF APPEALS
General conference, 192
Executive committee, 103
Annual 'Conference, 201
Quarterly conference, 207
Who may not sit on appeal cases, 182 (5)
General directions concerning, 182 (5-8)
Verdicts of, allowable, 182 (7)
Trinity, Faith in Holy, article on 16
TRUSTEES— See Church Property
Of general conference, name and address 353
Incorporation of, 346
Ee lott1 fh234h*lt' election aud duties of. 232-236
When ceasing to be members of the church, 235
Unacceptable preacher, how removed, 160 (7)
Union among ourselves, 148
Unions — See Labor Unions
Union with others, 149
United societies, rise of, 39
United societies, general rules of, 41-46
Usefulness, general rule, 44
Usury, or unlawful interest, forbidden, 43
VACANCIES
In executive committee, how filled, 102
In general conference elective offices, how filled W>
In missionary board, how filled, 256 (2)
Among district elders, how filled, 160 (15)
In board of trustees, how filled, 129 (16) 235
Visiting list for pastor's successor, 161 (9 10)
Visiting, pastoral, 143, 144, 151 (15), 161 (13)
VOTING
In annual and general conferences, 9
General conference quorum, 59, 92
By "orders" in general conference, 60, 96
By "orders" in annual conference, 112
For extra session general conference. 54, 90
On changing restrictive rules, 62. 98
Secure division of house, 60, 96, 112
President of stationing committee has casting vote,
By ballot, required in general conference, 55, 57 93 94
Executive committee, J03 (3)
Annual conference, 110, 114
Circuit meeting, 130 (2), 177 (3)
Worship] INDEX 293
Classes, 176 (1)
Bribery for, to be extirpated, 146 (8)
For prohibition, a duty, 65
Respecting right of preacher in business meeting, 393
Watch night meetings to be held, 161 (4)
WESLEY, JOHN
Historical statement, 1
United societies, 39-46
Widows of preachers — See Conference Claimants and
Support
Will, Free, grace necessary to, 23
Wine, unfermented for Lord's Supper, 64
WITHDRAWAL
Of preachers, 122 (12), 153 (4), 154, 394, 395
Credentials to be surrendered by preachers, 390
Of members, to be reported by pastors, 161 (8)
On validity of letter of, 381
Certificate of, 79 (5)
Woman's auxiliary missionary board, 405
Woman's foreign missionary society, constitution of, 413
WOMEN
Preacher's conduct toward, 135
May be delegates to conference, 373, 374
May be members of annual conference, 120, 172 (3, 4)
May be ordained deacon, 120
As deaconesses, 174
Members of general missionary board, 256 (1)
May be received into traveling connection, 172 (3)
Words, using many in buying and selling, 43
WORKS
Good, article on, 25
General rules concerning, 44
Of supererogation, 26
Worldly amusements prohibited, 12 ;
WORSHIP
Character of true, 10
Chapter on, 80-85
Order of, 80
Attendance on, 45
Singing a part of, 81
In language understood, 30
Love-feasts to be held, 82
Class meetings to be held, 83
General class meeting, 84
Rites and ceremonies, 36
Neglect of, 85
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